Rail passenger transport as the only mode of transport has the preconditions to form the essential axis of the integrated transport system and thus the basic framework of sustainable public passenger transport. In order to meet the preconditions, rail passenger transport must focus on research and innovation in the coming decades. Research and innovation must focus on these key areas: digitalisation and cost-effectiveness, automation of the railway system and Artificial Intelligence, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions, intelligent RTV lifecycle management and enhancing RTV operability, integrating railways into the DOOR-TO- DOOR system (increasing the availability of rail transport services to customers) and security and protection (increasing customer safety and asset protection).