On Monday 10 December, the European Commission approved a German measure to promote the shift of freight transport from road to rail.
This measure, which is to apply from 2018 to 2023, was notified to the Commission by Berlin last August.
With a budget of €350 million, it will result in compensation to rail transport operators to cover up to 45% of the track access charges they have to pay. These charges include in particular the costs that railway undertakings have to pay in order to use the rail network.
Berlin expects operators who benefit from this measure to pass on a significant price reduction to their customers. And these railway companies will have to inform their customers about these reductions.
Noting that the measure would be beneficial for the environment, but also proportionate and necessary to support modal shift, the Commission found it compatible with EU state aid law rules, in particular the guidelines on State aid to railway undertakings. That is why it gave the green light. (Original version in French by Lucas Tripoteau)