Brussels, 17/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - New railway market entrants are sounding the alarm about the possible cooperation agreements between railway operators and infrastructure management undertakings that are currently being discussed at the Council, in view of reaching an agreement on the political pillar in the 4th railway package.
Cooperation agreements. The European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) is concerned that the possibility of including such agreements in a holding company will be on the negotiating table of the European delegations. The delegations are hoping to reach an agreement on railway governance during the Transport Council on 3 December, as part of the political pillar in railway reform. ERFA believes that the Commission proposal to set up “coordinating committees” between railway operators and infrastructure managers in a vertically integrated railway structure would be more appropriate. ERFA is afraid that bilateral agreements between railway undertakings “can only perpetuate market barriers and further undermine the conditions for a fair playing field in the rail market”. ERFA is asking why more instruments are being given to the railway holdings that will subsequently put new entrants and their competitors at a disadvantage.
Agenda. The Italian Presidency of the Council is still hoping to obtain an agreement between the European delegations on the regulation on railway governance during the Transport Council on 3 December, as part of the political pillar. Nonetheless, there is no longer any question of being able to reach an agreement under the Italian presidency on the regulation on public service obligations. The presidency will present a progress report on the subject on 3 December. The technical pillar has already been the subject of an agreement at the Council and is currently being negotiated at an inter-institutional trilogue level. The next round of negotiations on the subject is planned for 16 December but is not expected to reach an informal agreement on the subject. (MD)