Brussels, 01/02/2016 (Agence Europe) - During the most recent inter-institutional meeting on the 4th railway package on Thursday 28 January, the Council of the EU and European Parliament locked horns over the question of compulsory rolling stock access assessments.
In its general approach, the Council of the EU proposed that a mandatory evaluation of access conditions to rolling stock be carried out before each call for proposals. The measures that stem from them would, on the other hand, be taken on a voluntary basis because such measures could lead to surcharges. This idea was rejected by the European Parliament negotiators who believe that non-binding evaluations would close down access to national railway markets. The two parties, however, reached an agreement on the principle of an evaluation being carried out by the competent authority into rolling stock access conditions.
One of the other points of disagreement focused on the period for which contracts that are directly allocated in exceptional circumstances would be valid. This involves cases where a national authority is not able to organise a call for tender in a viable situation, explained one source. In this connection, member states would like a maximum validity period of seven years, whilst the European Parliament would like to reduce this period because it would still like to push for the markets to further open up.
The EP believes that performance criteria on which direct allocations are made are too broad and it would like improved and tighter definitions. EP negotiators proposed that a competent body is set up and is responsible for deciding whether these direct allocations are valid. Member states, however, have so far rejected this option and consider that setting up such a body would lead to further red tape.
The Council and Parliament also examined the question of sustainable compensation by the public authorities to operators that use lines that do not generate high profits or none at all but did not reach an agreement on this question. They also looked at the issue of the public transport plans proposed by the European Commissioner. On this latter point and on the premise that the majority of national authorities possess such plans, the Council considers that this proposal is unnecessary.
The next negotiators' meeting is planned for 23 February. (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)