MEPs voted overwhelmingly (678 votes in favour, 3 against, 5 abstentions) on Thursday 17 September in favour of a regulation to relieve the rail sector, which has been hit by the Covid-19 pandemic (see EUROPE 12513/13).
The text is expected to allow Member States to authorise railway infrastructure managers to abolish, defer or reduce the payment of charges due to them by undertakings in the sector. This is from1 March to 31 December 2020, with the possibility of extension by means of delegated acts of the Commission.
MEPs voted under the urgency procedure and therefore adopted amendments that fully correspond to the EU Council’s position (see EUROPE 12556/18).
The latter’s introduction of the concept of “market segments”, which had given rise to concern among some MEPs (see EUROPE 12551/3), has consequently been retained. States may choose to apply the derogation concerning track access charges separately according to the segments (passenger transport, freight transport, transport of certain types of freight, etc.)
The text will also cover the issue of reimbursements made by States to infrastructure managers, the adjustment of the network statement and mark-ups and booking fees.
The EU Council must now formally adopt its position at first reading. The Regulation can then enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the EU. (Original version in French by Agathe Cherki)