Overview

Next Steps

On 23 January 2002, the Commission adopted the second railway package, which contained a Communication and a series of proposals to further open the railway markets in the European Union. The package consisted of a proposal to create a European Railway Agency; a proposal for a railway safety directive as well as a proposal to open the market for national freight transport by rail. These proposals were adopted by the European Parliament and the Council of Ministers in April 2004, and have come into force. The main elements of this package are:

• creation of a European Railway Agency in Valenciennes, France;

• opening of the market for international freight transport to the entire European rail network as of 1 January 2006;

• opening of the market for national freight transport ('cabotage') as of 1 January 2007;

• adoption of a directive on railway safety.

More information on the second railway package and its proposals is available in the dedicated section of this website.

Meanwhile, the Commission adopte a third package of measures on 3 March 2004. This package consists of 4 proposals:

• a further opening of the market for international passenger transport by rail;

• a regulation on the rights and obligations for passengers in international rail traffic;

• a  regulation on rail freight quality;

• a directive for train driver licences.

The European Parliament has adopted the reports in its first reading of the proposals. The Council of Ministers has reached a political agreement, and is expected to adopt its common position soon. Final adoption of the proposals though will only take place after the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament reached a common agreement on the proposals.