Rail shake-up plans put Parliament on collision course with Commission

Date: 16/01/03

By Martin Banks

MEPS have backed proposals for the biggest-ever shake-up of Europe's rail network.

Under the plans, the whole European network will be opened up to competition for cross-border rail passenger services by 1 January, 2006.

The move, however, puts the European Parliament on a possible collision course with the Commission, which, initially at least, is proposing liberalisation for international freight traffic only.

MEPs meeting in Strasbourg this week gave the green light to far-reaching liberalisation and a raft of other key measures designed to help revive the flagging fortunes of Europe's railways.

Other proposals include:

• a European railway agency responsible for safety on Europe's railways;
• introduction of a European driving licence for train drivers on trans-frontier services;
• harmonised driving time and rest periods for train drivers;
• a single working language for the European rail industry, as already exists in shipping and aviation, and;
• equipping all trains with a recording device, similar to the "black box" on planes.

The proposals come as new reports highlight the state of Europe's rail services. Only 8 of goods are carried by rail today, compared with 21 in 1970 and the average speed of an international rail freight train is slower than ever at 18kph.

The proposed European rail agency will have a staff of 100 and will be responsible for promoting safety across rail network.

Its location is still to be decided but it is hoped the agency could be up and running by 2004. If no decision is made on where it should be within one year of this legislation being adopted, Brussels would be its provisional headquarters.

German centre-right MEP Georg Jarzembowski, author of the report which recommends liberalisation of all rail services within three years, said he believes there is an urgent need to create an integrated European "area" in rail transport.

He said: "I am delighted my proposals have been adopted. The aims of these various proposed measures are to broaden and accelerate the liberalisation of rail freight and passenger markets."

Belgian Liberal Dirk Sterckx, whose proposals for a common approach to rail safety were also adopted, said: "These measures are a great step forward for safety and for the future of the European rail market as a whole.

"They will cover all rail workers with safety responsibilities, not just train drivers. By working together on rail safety, EU countries will be able to improve safety standards across the board.

"At the same time, we are getting rid of artificial barriers to the creation of an open market in rail services and to the mobility of rail workers and the sale of rail products across borders."

Currently, the mobility of staff and sale of rail products and services outside their country of origin is severely restricted by the fact that EU member states apply different safety standards to their domestic rail sector.

Belgian deputy Jan Dhaene, a member of the Greens-European Free Alliance group, said that while his group opposed liberalisation, it welcomed efforts to revitalise the railways.

"We think passenger transport should stay a public service, guaranteeing access to transport for everybody at reasonable prices.

"However, we are happy that Europe is finally paying attention to the railways as the best way of sustainable freight transport.

"It should have started 30 years ago."

MEPs have backed proposals for the biggest-ever shake-up of Europe's rail network. Under the plans, the whole European network will be opened up to competition for cross-border rail passenger services by 1 January 2006.