Brussels, 09/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - In a joint declaration published on Saturday 6 June, European associations for rail customers, shippers, forwarders and independent operators called on the Council and Commission to accelerate rail freight liberalisation, especially during this time of crisis. Calling for immediate action on the part of the Commission, the associations give their assurance that they will not be against competition either within the sector or with other kinds of transport on condition that they are guaranteed a real single market for goods transport using rail and other modes of transport.
Addressing European transport ministers meeting in Luxembourg on Thursday 11 June, the representatives of eight European associations for the rail freight sector call on ministers and the Commission to adopt the draft regulation on the European freight network for competitive freight transport which, they say, would force member states to coordinate their crossborder goods transport services. They also call on the Commission to initiate infringement proceedings during June against member states which, at this stage, have not implemented the first rail package. Also, they call on the Commission to publish a proposed recast of the package by September. “Such measures (which, the associations say, may be implemented at the present time) will allow development of a single market for rail freight, which would provide member states with economic and environmental advantages”, it is stated in the declaration signed by the CRE (Cargo Rail Europe), CLECAT (European association for freight forwarders, logistics service providers and users), ERFA (European Rail Freight Association), UIP international private rail union), F&L (forum of European freight and logistics leaders), IBS and new Opera. The members of the associations all hope to increase the use of rail in order to be able to obtain or provide cost-effective and reliable services. They say they are able to enter into competition between themselves and with other forms of transport but, in order to do so, they all need a single freight market in the rail sector as well as for other means of transport. At present, private rail freight companies wait before investing due to the lack of confidence in European and national policies regarding goods transport. The action taken by the EU will increase private sector investment, the associations say, calling for measures that will ensure: - equitable and consistent access to tracks and terminals, to junctions and to “last miles”; - reliability of services throughout the transport chain including trains, loading and unloading operations and distribution; - and the reduction of technical and legal problems at borders as well as “reasonable” priority for a number of goods transported. (A.By./transl.jl)