At its plenary session on Tuesday 19 May, the European Parliament gave the final go-ahead to a new European framework aimed at strengthening the coordination of cross-border rail capacity.
This adoption is a mere formality, the new rules having already been validated by EU governments last April. The aim of the text is to harmonise European rail transport in order to avoid delays and encourage a modal shift towards rail. In particular, it defines the procedures for planning and allocating rail infrastructure capacity within the Union.
These new rules come at just the right time, as the European Commission aims to strengthen passenger rights and encourage train use with its ‘One journey, one ticket’ legislative package (see EUROPE 13868/14). The new rules will apply from the day after they come into force, with the exception of certain provisions that will apply between 2028 and 2031. (Original version in French by Juliette Verdes)