Demand for transport in the European Union is growing faster than the economy. In addition, as a result of the EU's liberalisation policy which introduced intra-modal competition into the EU rail sector, the number of players in the European rail sector is increasing. The separation between infrastructure and operation, and the influx of new entrants led to the involvement of more partners in the area. Further, the process of optimising the added value chain in rail and public transport with more work allocation has increased the number of stakeholders. Therefore, the need for various players in the railways industry and users to meet and discuss political, regulatory, organisational, commercial and technical issues at the European level, and to find ways to improve the European rail transport system has never been greater. This is why rail professionals launched the European Rail Circle ("ERC") in Brussels in 2000.