1/26
CIT Strategy 2026-2030: 10 key points
The CIT Strategy 2026-2030 sets out ten core strategic objectives based on CIT’s historical mission to promote the legacy of rail over the past 125 years. The strategy is future-oriented, member-centred and action-oriented to ensure that CIT not only responds to the changing needs of the rail sector, but also proactively shapes its future. By focusing on innovation, cooperation with CIT members and partner organisations as a legal centre of excellence for the services provided by the General Secretariat, CIT aims to be an indispensable legal and dynamic organisation for the rail sector in the 21st century.
Proactive CIT proposals for the revision of COTIF 1999
CIT intends to proactively influence the revision of the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF) for the market needs of CIT members in order to take account of modern and market-oriented transport realities and advancing digitalisation and promote the competitiveness of the rail sector. CIT sees itself as a leading player in the on-going revision of COTIF within the framework of OTIF's 2025-2027 work programme. CIT will drive forward the modernisation of the existing legal framework in the design of the CIV, CIM, CUV and CUI Uniform Rules for international rail transport.
Redesign of CIT products
The redesign of all CIT products for passengers, freight, wagon and infrastructure use and data protection should ensure that they are relevant, customer-friendly and tailored to the specific practical needs of the various user profiles of CIT members. In the 125 years they have existed, the value of the CIT products has always lain in their timeliness and user-friendliness for generations of railway workers. A focus on company-specific design for the user experience is crucial. We will continue to make our products available digitally via the CIT website with clear target group segmentation. For example, a corporate lawyer in passenger traffic needs detailed legal contract bases, while a freight manager needs a quick-reference checklist for railway operations.
From digitalisation to the integration of artificial intelligence
CIT aims to use artificial intelligence to develop forward-looking, relevant and highly efficient support for CIT members. The transition from digital processes to AI-supported solutions is the next logical step in improving the services provided by the General Secretariat to its members. CIT will go beyond basic digital tools and implement advanced AI systems that are designed to deliver tangible added value. We have taken the first step with the COTIF CIV and CIM commentaries and questions on the associated CIT products.
European and international legal implementation in passenger traffic
The CIT Agreement on Journey Continuation (AJC) is at the forefront of CIT product development in passenger transport. The CIT products are indispensable for the strategic positioning of CIT members vis-à-vis international and supranational regulators. CIT ensures the expertise of high-quality legal content and advisory services. This also confirms CIT’s role as a reliable and competent partner of our sister organisations CER and UIC for industry-wide legal initiatives, particularly in improving international passenger transport.
Expansion of expertise in freight transport
CIT will closely monitor the ongoing digitalisation and further development of rail supply chains. Specialised expert groups will be set up to address the specific legal and contractual challenges involved in the transport of sensitive goods such as waste, dangerous goods and military mobility. CIT will develop further boilerplate contracts, standardised clauses and guidelines for the urgent needs of these specific transports. This will create legal certainty, clarify liability and simplify the process for CIT members.
Bridging East-West traffic
CIT is also a vital platform for legal harmonisation to ensure seamless legal and operational transition between different railway legislations in the framework of global rail freight conventions and transport documents. CIT is predestined and well positioned to bridge the legal gap between different transport legal systems and promote greater legal interoperability on the Eurasian corridors.
Members training platform
CIT is converting its training offer into a modular training programme. A relevant training programme has been established to directly address the changing needs of CIT members and is certified with a CIT label. The training is targeted, accessible and efficient. The appropriate mix of face-to-face and online events will take due account of the time and financial constraints of our members. All CIT training courses are subject to a strict quality standard and are awarded a recognised CIT label. This certification means that participants have completed up-to-date and practical training in international and European railway law.
Centre of excellence for member advisory services
CIT is a centre of excellence for high-quality legal services for members, providing a flexible, consistent and collaborative platform that serves the common interests of members. CIT will offer a structured digital platform ranging from a self-service legal database with tools for general questions to direct access to legal experts from the General Secretariat for complex issues. We therefore maintain a clear ‘CIT legal doctrine’ (CIT acquis) on important legal interpretations to ensure that the advice given to members is consistent, reliable and predictable in the long term.
Joint projects with other organisations
CIT develops fit-for-purpose partnerships with the other sector organisations to achieve significant progress on common challenges. In doing so, CIT strives for results-oriented cooperation. With RNE and FTE, the aim of cooperation is to establish contractual frameworks for international capacity and traffic management on the railways to ensure that legal documents are up to date with operational innovations. With CER and UIC, CIT acts as primary legal advisor so that the intended solutions can be developed from the outset on a solid, interoperable legal basis for CIT members. These partnerships are based on clear contractual foundations (MoU) in which common goals, specific projects and shared responsibilities are defined to ensure accountability and tangible results.
125 years of CIT serving rail
For 125 years, CIT has stood for continuously modernised, agile and indispensable legal provisions for rail transport of passengers and goods. Its strategic legacy lies in its capacity to unify fragmented legal regimes, produce modular and practical tools, and respond rapidly to both regulatory and operational challenges. With over 100 members representing passenger and freight operators across continents, CIT offers legal security and interoperability in a complex, fast-moving environment.
CIT will continue to support innovation through legal certainty – whether this means new forms of mobility, artificial intelligence in ticketing, or digital transport documentation. It will also remain a guardian of legal convergence between the COTIF Convention, EU law and new frameworks being developed under the UNECE Unified Railway Law project.