Maciej Gładyga Takes over ERFA Presidency

Why It Matters

Leadership change at ERFA could reshape Europe’s rail freight policy agenda, influencing market access, pricing and investment at a time of geopolitical volatility. Stakeholders will watch how the new president drives regulatory reforms and supports competitive rail freight networks.

Key Takeaways

• Maciej Gładyga becomes ERFA president, succeeding Dirk Stahl
• Gładyga brings a decade leading Poland’s Land Transport Chamber
• ERFA aims to influence EU rail freight regulations amid geopolitical tensions
• Focus on track access charges, state aid, TEN‑T corridors under new leadership
• Industry expects stronger advocacy for capacity regulation reforms

Pulse Analysis

The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) sits at the nexus of policy and operations for the continent’s rail freight sector. Over the past six years, outgoing president Dirk Stahl guided ERFA through the COVID‑19 pandemic and the fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, both of which strained cross‑border freight flows and highlighted the need for resilient, market‑driven regulations. ERFA’s influence on EU legislation—particularly on track access charges, state aid rules, and the Capacity Regulation—has positioned it as a key stakeholder in shaping a competitive rail freight landscape.

Maciej Gładyga’s ascension reflects a strategic continuity blended with fresh perspective. With a decade at the helm of Poland’s Land Transport Chamber of Commerce and a track record as ERFA vice‑president, he has deep familiarity with the Fourth Railway Package and the intricacies of EU funding mechanisms. His background in the Polish transport ministry, especially in negotiating European fund allocations, equips him to navigate the complex interplay between national interests and EU‑wide policy objectives. Under his leadership, ERFA is likely to intensify its lobbying on TEN‑T corridors, capacity allocation, and the harmonisation of state aid frameworks.

For rail freight operators, investors and logistics planners, the leadership transition signals potential acceleration of reforms aimed at unlocking capacity and reducing cost barriers. A more assertive ERFA could push for transparent track access pricing, streamlined cross‑border certification, and greater alignment of national rail strategies with EU climate and decarbonisation goals. As supply chains recalibrate after recent disruptions, a proactive ERFA under Gładyga may become a catalyst for increased modal shift from road to rail, fostering a more sustainable and efficient freight ecosystem across Europe.