Transport MEPs back reform of domestic rail services

Members of the European Parliament's Committee on Transport and Tourism on Monday confirmed its support to the draft rules that will provide easier access for all rail operators to domestic rail markets in the European Union (EU).

The new rules, still pending endorsement by the full Parliament in December this year, combine granting access for rail operators to use rail track and stations in EU domestic rail markets and bidding, as a general rule, for public service contracts, according to a Parliament statement.

Most domestic rail services across the EU are currently provided under public service contracts, many of which are awarded without a bidding process.

"Easier access to the market for rail operators should encourage them to provide new passenger services in EU countries' domestic markets and boost business and investment," the statement said.

It should also boost improvements in service quality and innovation in the sector, which is lagging behind other transport modes in numbers of passengers carried, according to the statement.

Current rules for directly awarding these contracts to a specific rail operator are to lapse after seven years, leaving competitive tendering as the general rule. Endit