Brussels, 14/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - New rail operators entering the market are urging the member states to respect European legislation on rail. On Wednesday 14 January, the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA) regretted the fact that the European Commission had had to open an increasing number of infringement procedures.
ERFA is disappointed to point out that in 2014, six member states (Austria, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Estonia, Romania and Greece) were subject to infringement proceedings for having only partially transposed the rules on railway safety that in some cases date back as far as 2006. The lack of independent investigation bodies when accidents occur is also a recurring infringement but Austria, Germany, Spain and Slovenia are also being investigated for non-respect of financial transparency rules. The new railway market operators find this situation intolerable and point out that European rules are there to guarantee interoperability, safety and competitiveness in European railway transport. ERFA also calls on the European Commission to immediately pursue these member states and ensure that they correctly implement the legislation that they themselves approved. ERFA concludes “the failure of many Member States to play their part in creating a seamless European rail network undermines the competitiveness and growth of the rail sector”. (MD)