The World Bank's railway and transport specialists bring best practice experience to bear in borrower countries in matters of railway industry policy, organization and institutions, management structure, asset management and modernization, investment prioritization, opportunities for private sector participation, and sector regulation. We work with decision-makers, policy advisers and rail industry managers in identifying policies and investments which will enable the rail industry to make the most effective contribution to economic growth and development while meeting safety, social and environmental standards.

In the World Bank, railways are part of the PRAL thematic group, comprising ports & waterborne transport, trade logistics and facilitation, railways, and aviation.