Brussels, 09/02/2004 (Agence Europe) - While the second rail package is in conciliation procedure, the European Commission is preparing its third rail package in order to complete realisation of a fully integrated European rail area. The aim is to make this mode of transport more attractive and competitive compared, above all, to its main competitor: road transport.
This third "package", which is the subject of consultation within the various Commission services, would comprise a proposal of directive on the certification of train drivers, mainly recommending that a license be established on a valid basis throughout the Community territory (a sort of driving licence for the driver who masters all the basic skills for driving a train) and specific certificates depending on the specific skills of each driver. The package would also propose a directive for liberalising international passenger transport by rail, including cabotage. One highly sensitive issue which causes deadlock between the Parliament and the Council on the second rail package is that the first meeting of the conciliation committee ended in failure on this point (the Parliament wishes to open national and international passenger transport up to competition on 1 January 2008, which the Council categorically opposes: see EUROPE of 5 February, p.11 and 29 January, p.13).
With the third package, the Commission would also like, through a proposal of regulation, to strengthen passengers' rights in international rail transport, mainly by guaranteeing the possibility of appeal and compensation in the event of delay or accident, and assistance for persons with reduced mobility. The Commission is also contemplating a proposal of regulation on the quality of freight rail transport services to ensure a sort of minimum quality service.