26 October 2020 – Transport Community and Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking signed today a Memorandum of Understanding, whose objective is to promote cooperation on rail research and innovation. By cooperating, the two organisations will contribute to modernisation of the rail sector in the Western Balkans through deployment of new technologies and innovative solutions.
“In an effort to make traveling and transporting goods by rail attractive for citizens and companies in the Western Balkans, Transport Community is proud to cooperate with Shift 2 Rail. This Memorandum of Understanding is a testament of our joint dedication to bring digital solutions to Western Balkans, shift more cargo from roads to rail and, in doing so, make the region’s transport system more competitive and better connected with the EU. Rail system investments will make the region more economically viable and facilitate development. We are looking forward to working together with S2R on achieving these important goals,” said Matej Zakonjšek, Director of Transport Community Permanent Secretariat.
“This Memorandum of Understanding is very important for us because digitalisation and the fostering of rail interoperability are crucial aspects of railway system transformation. Shift2Rail can contribute to this process by creating opportunities for testing demonstrations and delivering quick wins resulting from Shift2Rail Research & Innovation”, noted Carlo Borghini, Executive Director of Shift2Rail.
The cooperation will start during the ongoing programming period under Horizon 2020, and will continue in the new programming period that is expected to start in the second half of 2021, under Horizon Europe.
