Brussels, 20/06/2012 (Agence Europe) - The rail sector has warmly welcomed the agreement reached on the recast of the first rail package (see EUROPE 10637). Though it is still only an agreement in principle which will have to be formally approved by the European Parliament (EP) and Council in the course of the month of July, everyone has hailed the provisions of the final text. The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) is happy with the opening up of rail service markets and the introduction of five-year strategic plans on which infrastructure managers will be consulted. This, of course, is a point which has been very well received by the European independent rail infrastructure managers (EIM). EIM is also pleased to see the multiannual agreements with member states that these plans involve. The two associations naturally share the view of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) which is delighted with the introduction of strong, independent national regulators. This is the cornerstone of the whole agreement which pleases everyone in the EP too. CER is of the view, however, that the agreement can and must be further improved: “We regret that some major points are not adequately solved: the adequate financing of infrastructure managers is still just an option and not an obligation, ETCS (security system: Ed.) differentiated charging will penalise many railway undertakings operating on non-equipped corridor lines etc.”, said CER Executive Director Libor Lochman.
The Greens in the EP have also responded positively, highlighting those measures they were successful in having included in the final version of the draft directive. “Noise-dependant route prices and EU funding for retrofitting of older, noisy freight carriages would help ensure quieter railways. The deal also includes proposals to ensure railway operators have choice as regards their energy supplier in order to avoid discrimination through higher electricity prices for private competitors”, said Michael Kramer (Germany). (MD/transl.rt)