Efios Rail is a senior-level railway consultancy providing test management, project management, and ERTMS advisory to infrastructure managers, train operators, governments, and suppliers.
Efios Rail was established in 2002 by Erik van Bekkum, an experienced railway professional with a background spanning test management, project delivery, ERTMS implementation, and human factors research.
The company operates as a small, focused consultancy, deliberately so. Every engagement receives senior attention. There are no junior consultants substituted for senior ones. The breadth of experience across infrastructure, rolling stock, operations, and signalling systems is what differentiates Efios Rail from larger generalist firms.
Our client base spans Dutch and Belgian rail, ProRail, NS, the Dutch Ministry of Public Works, Infrabel, Siemens, Ansaldo STS, Thalys, Eurostar, and extends beyond the railway sector into industrial and complex project environments.
Efios Rail has no commercial tie to any technology supplier or systems integrator. This independence allows for unbiased technical and strategic advice in the interest of the client.
Efios Rail operates equally across three service domains. No single domain dominates, the value lies in the integration.
Efios Rail has worked with a broad range of organisations across the railway value chain, from national ministries and infrastructure managers to train operators and technology suppliers.
| Organisation | Country | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Public Works (Rijkswaterstaat / IenW) | NL | Government / Authority |
| ProRail | NL | Infrastructure Manager |
| NS (Dutch National Railways) | NL | Train Operator |
| NS HiSpeed | NL | High-Speed Operator |
| Infrabel | BE | Infrastructure Manager |
| Thalys International | BE/NL/FR | International Operator |
| Eurostar | EU | International Operator |
| Siemens | DE | Rolling Stock / Systems Supplier |
| Ansaldo STS | IT | Signalling Supplier |
| Nedtrain | NL | Rolling Stock Maintenance |
| KEMA | NL | Certification / Testing |
| Lloyds Register Rail | UK | Certification / Safety |
| Gemeente Amsterdam (Dienst Metro – NZL) | NL | Metro / Urban Transport |
In addition to railway work, Efios Rail has delivered project management services in industrial and international contexts:
| Organisation | Sector |
|---|---|
| Shell (SPDC / Shell RTS) | Oil & Gas |
| P&O Nedlloyd | Shipping / Logistics |
| Ecopetrol | Energy |
| Rio Tinto Mining | Mining / Resources |
| Borax | Industrial |
| Corus | Steel / Manufacturing |
| Solvay | Chemicals |
| M-Real | Forest / Paper |
| RTCA | Aviation |
| SDI Media | Media |
| University of Brisbane | Education / Research |
Every project is handled at principal level. Clients deal directly with the practitioner, not account managers or junior consultants.
Simultaneous expertise in test management, programme delivery, and ERTMS spots interface risks and coordination gaps that specialists miss.
No supplier ties, no technology bias. Advice is guided solely by the client's technical and programme objectives.
A rigorous approach to documentation, planning, and reporting, aligned to railway-sector standards and stakeholder expectations.
Familiarity with Dutch, Belgian, and European regulatory frameworks, TSI requirements, and cross-border programme dynamics.
Balancing technical correctness with business reality. Cost, risk, and schedule are always considered alongside technical requirements.
If you are assessing a railway programme, test campaign, or ERTMS transition, Efios Rail is ready to help structure and deliver it.