30 January 2013
On 30 January, the European Commission presented its Fourth Railway Package, a comprehensive series of legislative proposals aimed at opening national railway markets and achieving technical harmonisation in the European rail sector.
The Commission proposals include standards and approvals that help to cut the administrative costs of rail companies and facilitate the entrance of new operators into the market. Moreover, the Commission proposes better quality and more choice through allowing new players to run rail services. In order to encourage innovation, efficiency and better value for money, the Commission is proposing that domestic passenger railways should be opened up to new entrants and services as from December 2019. On the other hand, in order to ensure fair access for all to the railway, the Commission highlights that independent infrastructure managers must run networks in an efficient and non-discriminatory manner and coordinate at EU-level to underpin the development of a truly European network.
Furthermore, the Commission believes that a vibrant rail sector depends on a skilled and motivated workforce, which should lead to new and better jobs. Under the EU regulatory framework, Member States will have the possibility to protect workers by requiring new contractors to take them on when public service contracts are transferred, going beyond the general EU requirements on transfers of undertakings.
In order to be adopted, the Commission's proposals will first have to be approved by the European Parliament and Member State Governments.
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