Reinforced collaboration programme between FIF and SNCF Réseau

Press contacts: Marine Latombe - mlatombe@fif.asso.fr Soune Serre – soune.serre@reseau.sncf.fr / Cécilia Vichot - cecilia.vichot@reseau.sncf.fr PRESS RELEASE Lille, 29 March 2023 THE FRENCH RAILWAY INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION (FIF) AND SNCF RÉSEAU LAUNCH A REINFORCED COLLABORATION PROGRAMME TO ADDRESS THE CHALLENGES OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE Louis Nègre, Chairman of the French Railway Industry Association (FIF), and Matthieu Chabanel, Chairman and CEO of SNCF Réseau, announce the launch by their respective organisations of a programme designed to strengthen the shared working practices within the industrial sector dedicated to railway infrastructure. This initiative aims to collectively address the challenges that will accompany the development of rail in France. Yesterday, at the inauguration of the FIF village at the Salon International de l'Industrie Ferroviaire (SIFER) in Lille, Louis Nègre and Matthieu Chabanel launched a reinforced cooperation programme, benefiting the industrial sector dedicated to railway infrastructure, through working groups devoted to the main organisational challenges of this sector. Highlighting the need for deeper structuring of the sector in the face of the challenges posed by the ecological transition and the need to meet the national objective of developing rail transport, the two leaders thus launched four thematic working groups. These groups, coordinated by FIF-SNCF Réseau pairs and bringing together several stakeholders from the sector, are devoted to the following issues: - coordinating a shared sector roadmap; - strengthening the appeal of the railway sector and training schemes; - cross-cutting collaborations in support of the ecological transition and innovation; - pursuing collective efficiency within projects and tenders. Their progress will be regularly monitored through steering committees. Louis Nègre stated following this announcement: « A united sector is a strong sector. Today, more than ever, we owe it to ourselves, together, to rise to the many challenges facing the railway sector. Whether it be decarbonisation, green industry, job attractiveness, our concerns are varied but our solutions will be common and shared. » Matthieu Chabanel stated: « in the face of the challenges of the ecological transition and sustainable mobility, the train represents an essential solution. By announcing an investment plan of €100 billion for rail transport, Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne reaffirmed this key role. The industrial sector dedicated to railway infrastructure must live up to the trust placed in it to contribute to the development of rail, and strengthen itself through collegial working practices and a shared commitment to excellence. » About FIF FIF, the French Railway Industry Association, is an employers' organisation bringing together railway industry professionals, from large groups to SMEs. FIF's strategy mainly aims to contribute to improvements concerning, on the one hand, the regulatory and technical environment, and on the other, the operating conditions of the Profession. This strategy is built around three complementary areas: 1. performance of the railway industrial sector 2. promotion of rail transport 3. performance of the railway system in France Member companies cover the entire railway industrial sector: rolling stock manufacturers, equipment suppliers, track and signalling industries, systems integrators, maintenance and repair. About SNCF Réseau To meet growing mobility needs and develop rail transport in support of the ecological transition, SNCF Réseau develops the service offering for freight and the passenger market across the 28,000 kilometres of line for which it ensures maintenance, modernisation and safety. As network manager, it markets and guarantees neutral and fair access to the infrastructure. As a partner to public authorities, regions and railway companies, SNCF Réseau's absolute priority is the satisfaction of its customers. A public limited company of the SNCF group, the company has more than 50,000 employees for revenue of nearly €7.1 billion in 2022. www.sncf-reseau.com