Parliament’s adoption of the 4th railway package market pillar

The European Parliament's transport and tourism committee endorsed on 5 December 2016 the market pillar of the 4th railway package. The plenary session debated this proposal on 12 December and voted it two days later.

The draft rules provide easier access for rail operators to domestic rail markets, potentially providing more choice and better quality services to rail passengers. This proposal combines granting access for rail operators to use rail track and stations in EU domestic rail markets and bidding, as a general rule, for public service contracts.

The European Commission published its proposal to reform railways services in the European Union in January 2013. An informal agreement on a compromise text was reached in April 2016. The Council of the European Union adopted the draft text in October.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Rail passenger rights in the European Union http://www.europeansources.info/record/rail-passenger-rights-in-the-european-union/

ESO: Background information: The fourth railway package: Another step towards a Single European Railway Area http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-fourth-railway-package-another-step-towards-a-single-european-railway-area/

European Parliament: Press Release, 12.12.16: Railway: new legislation to get the sector back on track http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161209STO55304/

ESO: Background information: Fourth railway package: Market pillar http://www.europeansources.info/record/fourth-railway-package-market-pillar/

European Parliament: Press Release, 05.12.16: Transport MEPs back reform of domestic rail services: more choice for better services http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/news-room/20161205IPR54502/

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