The European Commission has introduced major rail freight legislative initiatives including the rail infrastructure package and the regulatory framework for rail in the EU. The eastward enlargement of the EU and increasing globalisation of the economy is expected to increase freight traffic flows which are more likely to be transported by road than by rail unless rail freight is made more attractive. Rail freight is considered inflexible and has a poor record on tracking/tracing customers' goods. Combined transport operators are dissatisfied with the punctuality of trains. There is also a lack of competition in the sector. The European policy to improve the competitiveness of Europe's railways is outlined. This includes a common approach to rail safety promoting interoperability of national railway systems, creating a European Railway Agency, effective opening of the market to stimulate competition, overcoming the barriers to entry for pan-European freight services, ensuring a high quality standard for rail freight services, improving infrastructure performance for European rail freight services, and improving the environmental performance of the rail freight sector. For the covering abstract see ITRD E124693.
Samenvatting