Participation in some of the most important international railway associations.

Renfe is a leading member, and even founder, of some of the most important international railway associations, such as:

 

  • The International Union of Railways (UIC)

An international railway association based in Paris, to which more than 200 railway operators and infrastructure managers from all over the world belong, as well as other affiliated entities.

It is a technical platform where members jointly develop projects, studies, activities, exchanges and comparative studies (benchmarking), as well as standards documents called International Rail Solutions (IRS).

Renfe currently holds the presidency of the Global Passenger Forum, through the General Director of Development and Strategy, as well as participating in associative spheres such as the General Assembly and the European Regional Assembly.

  • The International Committee for Rail Transport (CIT)

An international association based in Bern (Switzerland) that directly or indirectly brings together approximately 200 railway companies and shipping companies that provide international passenger and/or freight transport services.

Its purpose is the practical transposition at company level and the uniform application of international rail transport law.

Renfe is currently a member of its Committee, on which the working and expert groups depend, through the Deputy Secretary General.

  • Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER)

An international association with headquarters in Brussels, to which some 67 railway companies, infrastructure managers and rail vehicle leasing companies from the European Union, the candidate countries, Switzerland, Norway and the Western Balkan countries belong.

It acts as a representative and influential body for the railway industry in Europe. It represents and defends the interests of its members before the European institutions, mainly: the European Commission, the EU Railway Agency, the European Parliament and the European Council.

For several terms the President of Renfe was a member of the CER Management Committee, although he is no longer a member.

  • The International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

International public transport association, based in Brussels, whose members from all over the world are public transport authorities of all modes; transport operators, suppliers and manufacturers, institutes, universities, associations, technology centers, etc.

The European Committee acts as a lobby group for the European institutions, in which Renfe is present through its head of the Renfe Office in Brussels.

  • The Latin American Railway Association (ALAF)

This association is made up of authorities, railway companies and industrialists from the Latin American railway sector. It has its headquarters in Buenos Aires and other offices in Guatemala, Sao Paulo and Madrid (at Renfe's facilities). It has about 20 active members and more than 30 adherent members.

Renfe's International Relations Area Manager is the representative of ALAF's headquarters in Madrid.

 

Renfe has Memorandums of Understanding for the exchange of experience and knowledge in more than 20 countries, among them: Germany, Brazil; Chile, China; South Korea, Israel or Japan.

For example, the company has signed a cooperation agreement with Chile's Empresa de Ferrocarriles del Estado (EFE) in 2023 to materialize future collaborations. In this way, Renfe will participate in the ambitious process of transformation of its railway network that the American country is carrying out. The agreement contemplates collaboration in all aspects of railway operations, from the preparation of demand studies to the planning, design, marketing, management and operation of passenger and freight services. In addition, the document includes a first collaboration channel through a passenger train rental contract.

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