Maria Price
Maria Price, DPhil (Oxon), is a specialist in European and international rail law and governance.
Her work sits at the intersection of technical rail systems, legislative drafting and institutional decision-making.
For more than fifteen years, she has worked across European institutions, sector associations and international organisations, contributing to regulatory frameworks shaping the European rail market.
Structuring Complexity
Maria’s expertise lies in translating technical detail into legally coherent frameworks — and in making legislative developments operationally understandable for stakeholders.
Her work is characterised by:
Career Highlights
2026 – Present
Secretary-General, Mandat
European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), Brussels
Representation of private rail freight undertakings at European level. Coordination of policy positions and engagement with European institutions on regulatory developments.
2018 – 2026
Intergovernmental coordination and Liaison concerning international railway law
Work with different Ministries and national authorities on the implementation and application of the convention concerning international carriage by rail (COTIF), with special focus on technical interoperability and safety.
2010 – 2018
Stakeholder representation at EU Level
Influencing decision-making and negotiations with government authorities, transport sector, European institutions and national associations regarding on the development of EU policy and legislation for rail transport.
Working Approach
RailMindsEurope operates independently and in cooperation with a trusted network of specialised experts when required. Mandates are defined with clarity, confidentiality and strategic alignment at their core.
Institutional Engagement &
Leadership
Throughout her career, Maria has engaged with the European Commission, European Parliament, ERA and OTIF, contributing to expert discussions, legislative processes and sector coordination.
Her work often takes place where technical systems, regulatory frameworks and political decision-making intersect.
Current Mandate
Since March 2026, Maria Price serves as General Secretary of ERFA (European Rail Freight Association), representing private rail freight undertakings at European level.
In this capacity, she works closely with European institutions, sector stakeholders and regulatory bodies on legislative and policy developments affecting rail freight.
This mandate reflects established trust within the European rail sector and provides direct insight into the institutional dynamics shaping rail policy.
Education
Maria holds a Doctorate in Transport Studies (DPhil) from the University of Oxford.
Her academic background combines transport policy, international law and institutional governance — forming the analytical foundation of her work.
2023 – Present
Candidate for Master of Laws (LLM) in Technology, Media and Telecommunications
2022 – Certificates
London School of Economics (LSE), UK
Data: Law, Policy, and Regulation
MIT Sloan School of Management, USA
Digital Business Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things, Platforms in a Digital Economy, Harnessing the Crowd, Decentralization, Cybersecurity Governance for the Board of Directors
2010 Doctorate (DPhil.)
University of Oxford, Transport Studies Unit, Geography and the Environment, Oxford, UK
Dissertation: “Trans-European Networks – Transport Cohesion in South-West Europe. Development of the high-speed rail network in Sout-West Europe”
2001
Master of Science (MS) in International Law and World Order
University of Reading, Reading, UK
2000
Bachelor of Arts (BA) with HONOURS in International Law and Diplomacy, minor in European Studies
Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, USA
Perspective
Complex governance environments require more than advocacy. They require trust, discretion and the ability to align interests before positions harden.
Maria works at the interface of policy, expertise and implementation, supporting stakeholders navigating evolving European rail regulation.
To ensure that expertise, policy and implementation align before decisions become irreversible.
