RNE’s Path Coordination System (PCS) has long been established as the key platform for harmonising international train path requests among all involved stakeholders.

Building on this success, RNE launched the PCS Capacity Broker on 17 November 2025 – a major step toward even broader process automation and digitalisation.

This milestone also marks significant progress in meeting the requirements of the upcoming Capacity Regulation.

Meeting regulatory and industry demands

In recent years, increasing regulatory and industry demands – particularly the upcoming Capacity Regulation and Telematics TSI (succeeding the TAF/TAP TSI) requirements – have highlighted the need for PCS to evolve.

The PCS Capacity Broker (PCS-CB) meets these demands by providing all the functionality of the previous PCS version (PCS Envelope Concept), enhanced with significant improvements.

A modern platform for streamlined and transparent processes

The PCS Capacity Broker replaces the previous PCS Envelope Concept, introducing a modern, future-proof platform designed to streamline timetabling processes across Europe.

Key features of the new PCS Capacity Broker:

• Universal access through natively TAF/ TAP TSI -compliant architecture
• Support for new and streamlined allocation processes
• Alignment with sector needs and regulatory obligations

PCS Capacity Broker – Key Benefits

Universal European access to central allocation hub

The PCS Capacity Broker’s TSI-based architecture enables full interoperability across Europe, integrating easily with national systems.

Train operators and infrastructure managers can connect without extra interfaces, using the broker as a central hub that can scale and adapt to future industry needs.

Central handling for all process types

Designed to support more than the annual timetable, the PCS Capacity Broker will eventually cover diverse process types such as ad-hoc requests, short-term changes, and rolling planning.

This flexibility helps stakeholders react to evolving operational needs and advances the goal of a single European marketplace for capacity allocation.

Integration with the Advance Planning tool

The PCS Capacity Broker is prepared for integration with RNE’s upcoming Capacity Management Platform, which will provide functions for Capacity Models, Capacity Supply Plans and coordination of Temporary Capacity Restrictions (full rollout expected end of 2026).

This will enable a seamless workflow that supports efficient planning for infrastructure managers and an intuitive booking process for applicants.

Taking strides toward optimised timetabling in Europe

With the launch of the PCS Capacity Broker, RNE and its members are taking another important step toward efficient, transparent, and harmonised timetabling across Europe.

The new system offers universal European access for coordinating and booking train paths through a central digital platform built on robust national systems.

With integration of the RNE Capacity Management Platform on the horizon, PCS-CB paves the way for seamless, flexible, and widely accessible planning and booking of rail capacity in one central system – helping keep rail future-ready and aligned with the upcoming Capacity Regulation.