Train paths

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We sell the availability of railway infrastructure according to the rules and time scales indicated in the Network Statement (NS), in accordance with the principles of transparency, fairness and non-discrimination.

Railway Undertakings (RUs) may request availability of infrastructure, train paths and services for the current or next timetable. We also provide complementary and ancillary services, also governed by the NS, which may be requested on the basis of the offer published in the e_NS application.

Requests for train paths and related services for the 2025 timetable period (from 15 December 2024 to 13 December 2025) and for the 2026 Timetable Period (from 14 December 2025 to 15 December 2026) may be made using the following systems:

for both national and international train paths the system: Astro IF (accessible only to authorised users);
for international train paths, requests can alternatively be made via the Path Coordination System (PCS) (accessible to authorised users), according to the PCS guidelines (the system and guidelines are recognised by all Rail Net Europe Infrastructure Managers).

To access the systems or for information on functions go to contact us.

For information on the implemented and soon to be activated Astro IF evolutions click here

RFI provides all Railway Undertakings with access to its service facilities and services, under fair, transparent and non-discriminatory conditions.

2024/2025 Timetable

Changes to the current timetable

Requests for services, connections and shuntings for the 2024/2025 timetable (in force from 15 December 2024 to 13 December 2025) relating to adjustments during the current timetable and intermediate adjustments for the 2024/2025 timetable should be submitted using following form:

the RU-RIM communication platform called ASTROIF, which will be made available within the Integrated Circulation Platform (PIC), for installation services, connections and shuntings related to the individual path;
the ExtraPMdA Service Request Form for services not connected to a specific path, i.e. Fast Track, Maintenance Centres, Water Supply - Commercial Offer. The ExtraPMdA Services Requests Prospectus should be sent to the following email address: rfi-dce-dco@pec.rfi.it
the Service request table on network connection facilities form for services in connecting stations with foreign or regional network. Send the table to the following e-mail address: rfi-dce-dco@pec.rfi.it

The time scale for the request for changes to the current timetable of services, connections and shuntings follows the time scale for the request of the associated path.

Short Notice

All RUs making requests at short notice must have integrated path and service management. The model is aimed at adding the Facility Commitment to a commercial request, i.e. the addition of services, connections and shuntings to a facility also for requests made at short notice.

Requests are managed through the PIC-WEB platform. The RUs may:

enter one or more facility commitments for each type of request (except for STT - Total Waiver);
enter a new type of request for facility commitment only.

The time scale for the request for changes at short notice to services, connections and shuntings follows the time scale for the request of the associated path.

Schedule of Requests for ExtraPMdA Services 2024-2025(.xls — 99 KB)

Schedule of Requests for train paths limited to the network connecting facilities 2024-2025(.xls — 531 KB)

2025/2026 Timetable

Timetable Requests

Requests for services, connections and shuntings for the 2025/2026 timetable (applicable from 14 December 2025 to 12 December 2026) must be submitted via:

the RU-RIM communication platform called ASTROIF, which will be made available within the Integrated Circulation Platform (PIC), for the installation services related to the individual path;
the ExtraPMdA Service Request Form for services not connected to a specific path, i.e. Fast Track, Maintenance Centres, Water Supply - Commercial Offer. The ExtraPMdA Service Request Form should be sent to the following e-mail address: rfi-dce-dco@pec.rfi.it
the Service request table on network connection facilities form for services in connecting stations with foreign or regional network. Send the table to the following e-mail address: rfi-dce-dco@pec.rfi.it

Requests for services, connections and shuntings follow the deadlines set for the path allocation process for the 2024/2025 timetable.

Schedule of Requests for ExtraPMdA Services 2025-2026(.xls — 83 KB)

Schedule of Requests for train paths limited to the network connecting facilities 2025-2026(.xls — 534 KB)

Timescale for intermediate adjustment requests for the Timetable valid from 15 December 2024 to 13 December 2025

graph: timing of submission of requests for the intermediate adjustment for the timetable valid from 10 dec 2023 to 14 dec 2024

Requests for train paths during the 2024/2025 timetable period

Requests for train paths during the current timetable period must follow the time scales indicated below.

schedule X -30 > within 18 days from the request: definition of the draft timetable or refusal by RFI; X -12 > within 5 days from the request: definition of the draft or refusal by RFI; X -15> within 7 days from the request: definition of the draft timetable or refusal by RFI; X - 5 > cancellation of paths already allocated or test runs; X > effective date of the service

Requests for new train paths or changes to train paths already allocated for the current timetable relating to international services and complex rescheduling of domestic services may be submitted in accordance with the timetable agreed by all infrastructure managers within Rail Net Europe. The deadline for submitting train path requests and the related 'timetable update' date are shown below.

Deadlines for path requests	Timetable update dates
10 Dec 23	5 Feb 24
5 Feb 24	15 Apr 24
8 Apr 24	9 Jun 24
8 Jul 24	2 Sep 24
5 Aug 24	7 Oct 24

For further details, refer to section 4.5.3.2 of the NS.

Requests for the 2025/2026 timetable

The start of the train path allocation process for the working timetable 15 December 2024 - 13 December 2025 is fixed for 8 April 2024.

1. Requests for train paths received by 04/08/2024 shall be processed according to the following schedule:

schedule: 8 April > deadline for presenting train path requests by RUs for the next timetable period; 8 June > within this date the IM decides on the requests; 1 July > the IM prepares and notifies the draft timetable. If necessary, it initiates the coordination procedure; 2 August > deadline for presenting observations regarding the draft timetable; 19 August > within this date the IM prepares and notifies the final international draft timetable; 2 September > deadline for presenting service requests; 30 September > the IM complets the coordination procedure; 11 November > the IM prepares and notifies the final draft timetable; 15 Dicember > timetable enters into effect

2. Requests for train paths received from 04/09/2024 to 10/14/2024 (i.e. late applications) will be processed according to the order in which they are submitted after the requests received by the deadline of 04/08/2023 according to the following schedule:

9 April > start date for the presentation of the so-called "late requests" by the Rus; 14 October > deadline for the presentation of the so-called "late requests" for paths and services by the RUs; 11 November > within this date the IM decides on the requestes, prepares and notifies the final draft timetable relating to the late requests; 15 Dicember > timetable enters in to effect

3. Requests for train paths received from 10/15/2024 will be processed from the sixteenth day after the timetable is implemented, as requests during the current timetable period