About RFG

RFG has over 150 member companies, ranging from Maersk, the world's largest container shipping line, to high street retailer, Marks & Spencer. Our members include customers, logistics providers, suppliers, terminal operators, ports and freight train operating companies.

RFG's aim is to promote cost effective rail solutions for freight.

Real choice across modes is key to meeting the transport challenges businesses face today and tomorrow. These include ever-worsening road congestion, driver shortages and the impact of lorry road user charging.

RFG works hard in the interests of its members; to represent their views and provide a wide range of advice and information.

RFG is a Company Limited by Guarantee and all revenue is ploughed back into providing services to members. It was originally formed in 1991 to represent the views of those involved with the rail freight industry that were not British Rail.

The Rail Freight Group seeks to achieve its objectives by organising meetings and visits, by responding to consultation papers and by lobbying government, European Institutions, the Office of Rail Regulation and Network Rail. One of its major successes was the inclusion in the 1993 Railways Act of a duty on the Government and Rail Regulator (now Office of Rail Regulation) to promote rail freight.

RFG also looks to involve the media in positive comment and news where possible, and publishes a newsletter, circulated to nearly 2,000 opinion formers, generally every two months.  

The Rail Freight Group's Strategy, revised and approved by the RFG Board in December 2005, is set out below:

Rail Freight Group Strategy

Vision

A cost effective and competitive rail freight market with a steadily increasing degree of market share year on year.

Mission

To increase the volume and market share of freight carried by rail.

Strategic Intent

To serve the interests of members by improving the political, legal and planning environment in which the rail freight industry operates, to attract new investment and to promote the development of the industry through the organisations which use, supply and deliver competitive quality rail freight services.

Objectives

Leadership:  The Rail Freight Group will through its actions and respect for member’s priorities provide leadership and focus to the industry’s strategic thinking and lobbying processes where appropriate.

Influence:  The Rail Freight Group will

- be influential and proactive, in pursuit of the strategy. 

- engage with railway organisations, railway authorities and Government, at European, national, regional and local levels,

- seek to influence, educate and inform politicians, officials and other policy makers,

- seek to ensure that the views and interests of the industry are reflected in their policies, and

- focus its efforts on areas where the greatest impact can be achieved.

Intervention:  The Rail Freight Group will use its best efforts to assist in the process of developing and resolving issues where groups of members have a specific interest.

Information and Networking:  The Rail Freight Group will:

- provide information and networking opportunities to promote the benefits of rail freight,

- assist the functioning and enhancement of the market to stimulate innovation,

- share best practice and support the actions of companies in the market,

- produce a regular Newsletter for circulation to members and railway ‘influencers’ along with e-mail updates on newsworthy items, and

- proactively develop and maintain effective relationships with the press and wider media.