Brussels, 19/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On its 10th anniversary, the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) has hammered home its point: progress has to be made in introducing the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) and in ending hidden subsidies which could remain for incumbent operators after the overhaul that is taking place of the rail package.
Support for ERTMS. On Thursday 19 January, the ERFA held its 10th annual conference in Brussels, an event at which it took the opportunity to reiterate its support for the European Commission in bringing about greater interoperability in the rail sector, through, for example, general use of the ERTMS. Though the association is a fervent supporter of the system, it also seeks to stress that problems remain, particularly in compatibility of software and material (this would appear to be particularly the case in Sweden). ERFA has called on the Commission to iron out the problems across the EU, so that the system can quickly provide real interoperability. The association does not hesitate either to call for European funding to bear half the cost that rail operators will incur in moving to the ERTMS.
Recast of rail package. ERFA went back on the attack against incumbent operators still being able to enjoy hidden subsidies under the terms of the recast of the rail package as it currently stands. The package, to a certain extent, authorises financial transfers between infrastructure managers and service providers. ERFA argues for fair competition in the sector and, so, for clear separation between the various players so that the rail sector can, in fact, be liberalised.
Germany-UK comparison. In order to demonstrate through a concrete case study that rail liberalisation has a positive effect on the market, on that same day, ERFA's British member (Rail Freight Group - RFG) published a comparative study of German and British rail structures (the holding model versus total separation between rail operators and infrastructure managers). This study reveals that, in terms of customer satisfaction, growth of passenger and freight transport, liberalisation and competition, the British system comes out on top of the German, thus providing supporters of liberalisation with an argument for the dismantling of national monopolies in rail services. (MD/transl.rt)