Brussels, 30/03/2012 (Agence Europe) - What are the right conditions for efficient rolling stock maintenance in open markets? Rail Forum, set in place by MEPs, has addressed one aspect of the many rail problems. During a debate on 28 March, headed by the chairman of the parliamentary committee for transport and tourism (TRAN), Brian Simpson (S&D, UK), it was said that it takes a vast workshop for best maintenance of locomotives and carriages. And yet, maintenance has a considerable impact on security in rail transport, it was agreed by experts present: Patrizio Grillo, Deputy Head of the Single European Rail Area Unit at DG MOVE of the European Commission, and Jacques Damas, Executive Manager for Railway Service Safety and Quality with the French operator, SNCF. The latter clearly illustrated the lack of current consistency between the different workshops in Europe when it comes to maintenance work. Standards differ. French TGV engines cannot be repaired in the Frankfurt centre, Germany, for example. Several voices were raised saying there was a need for a fourth rail package, currently being prepared by the Commission, to allow more competition in this field. New entrant operators also need to have access to existing workshops, and should not be obliged to build their own workshops, insisted UNIFE, representing the European rail industry. (MD/transl.jl)