Brussels, 10/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - During a conference on rail security on Tuesday 10 May, the European Commissioner for Transport, Violeta Bulc, said that she intended to ask Transport Ministers on 7 June next whether they want a binding rail passenger security system, in an effort to prevent possible terrorist attacks.
At present, the European Commission does not have any scope to deal with rail passenger related matters and is therefore unable to put forward any legislative proposals in this area. Subsequently, it can only take action on this question with the agreement of the member states.
During her speech, Ms Bulc outlined the four major areas for taking action: improving intelligence exchanges between member states, as well as for good practices; strengthening staff training; using so-called smart digital technologies and introducing rail station and operator security programme by including them in action plans based on the levels of threat that exist.
These proposals relate to the recommendations put forward by the land transport security experts' group (LANDSEC). Last April, this group advocated the introduction of emergency plans and rapid action services (see EUROPE 11531). (Original version in French by Pascal Hansens)