RNE is committed to transparent and inclusive stakeholder engagement as part of the development of the European Framework for Capacity Management (EFCM). Although the challenging deadlines set by the Regulation EU 2026/1184, collecting stakeholder inputs on selected topics as the draft Guidelines for modulation of penalties represents a key step in ensuring that sector’s experts are informed and aligned during the document elaboration process.
Objectives of the Initiative
The primary objective of this stakeholder engagement is to collect targeted feedback on the proposed modulation scheme for the calculation of the penalties for changes of allocated capacity rights. The initiative aims to inform the stakeholders about the proposed methodology, identify potential improvements, and facilitate consistency in the future among the operational practices across Europe.
Key Elements of the Draft Guidelines
The draft Guidelines define a comprehensive penalty calculation mechanism based on three main components:
- a nationally defined monetary value,
- the distance of the affected train path,
- and a modulation factor – reflecting the impact of the change – which is designed to account for various operational and market-related conditions.
The modulation scheme differentiates between Applicants and Infrastructure Managers and considers several criteria, including the timing of changes, the marketability of released capacity, and the quality of alternative capacity solutions. These elements ensure that penalties are proportionate and reflect the actual impact on the network and other users.
Stakeholder Engagement Process
Stakeholders are invited to submit their feedback through a structured template, allowing for input reflecting the content of specific chapters of the Guidelines and key requirements set in the article 42 of Regulation EU 2026/1184. General comments may also be provided in the same template.
The deadline to provide feedback is 31 August 2026.
DOWNLOAD DRAFT GUIDELINE DOWNLOAD TEMPLATE
For any support or additional information, please contact us at the following email:
Next Steps
Following the consultation phase, the collected feedback will be analysed by the experts for the Commercial Conditions task force. A final version of the Guidelines will then be incorporated in the EFCM to start the formal consultation process.
Please support us building a robust, transparent, and market-oriented capacity management framework that supports the long-term competitiveness of the European rail sector.
