Passenger traffic growth of 0.6% in Western European, though down 3.4% in the CEEC (Central and Eastern European Countries) region. European high speed traffic up by 7.8%. The new US high speed train service Acela consolidates its presence in the US, and passenger traffic rises by 4.1% in Asia.
Railfreight loses 3.3% in Western Europe and 1.8% in CEECs, while European combined transport is down 2.3%. Railfreight growth of 1% reported in the US, 4.5% in Africa and 5 to 6% in India and China.

Reporting on rail sector activities in 2001, UIC Chairman Etienne Schouppe, Chief Executive of SNCB, commented on the results posted by railway companies across the five continents. In his words, "rail transport has never had so many clearly demonstrated advantages recognised by public opinion and decision-makers, but these assets have to be translated into genuine inroads" on all transport markets around the world.

In the passenger sector, 2001 saw Western European railways record a very slight overall increase of 0.6% in passenger-kilometre terms, while high speed traffic rose by an encouraging 7.8%, to reach 64 billion passenger-kilometres. The trend in Central and Eastern Europe was however downwards, with passenger-kilometres dropping by 3.4%.

Looking beyond Europe, the new US high speed train service Acela grew by 26%, chiefly on the back of a major shift away from air transport. The Japanese rail sector (JR Group) posted a slight increase of 0.1% in traffic, after several years of decline. Asia as a whole recorded rail passenger traffic growth of 4.1%, with strong performances in India and China.

The picture in the European freight sector is less encouraging, with a decline of 3.3% in tonne-kilometres in the west and 1.8% lost in the CEEC region. After years of sustained growth, the European combined transport sector dropped 2.3% for the first time.

Against this backdrop, Mr Schouppe recapped on the main activities being undertaken by UIC in a bid to enhance the performance and quality of international freight transport. On a more positive note, railfreight continues to gain ground on other continents, with 1% added in the US, 5-6% in China and India and 4.5% in Africa, the latter driven primarily by the strong results posted by the South African railway company Spoornet

The UIC was founded in 1922, with the aim of creating uniform conditions for the establishment and operation of railways. Today it is the worldwide organisation for cooperation among railway companies. Its activities encompass all fields related to the development of rail transport.

UIC has prepared an ambitious action plan, the UIC Rail Plan, which aims to make the railway one of the most efficient and popular transport modes.

The UIC maintains and develops the overall coherence of the railway system and enhances interoperability in order to improve railway competitiveness.

ALAF - the Asociacion Latino Americana de Ferrocarriles, located at Av. Belgrano 863, 1° Piso - 1092 Buenos Aires (Argentine)

Tel. (54 11) 4331 1298

E-mail: administ@alaf.int.ar is member of UIC