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(2004/C 78 E/0937)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3950/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(22 December 2003)

Subject:   Incentives to halt the continuing cancellation of rapid and direct long-distance international train services

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(13 February 2004)

According to the information gathered by the companies concerned, international services often operate at a heavy loss and, as they do not receive public service subsidies, companies prefer to halt them for reasons of sound financial management. The cumbersome nature of cooperation arrangements between the Member States is also a reason why these services do not develop better. The Commission believes this sector of the market would be better served if it were liberalised in order to promote a more commercial approach and to allow a single undertaking to take on responsibility for a through service.

There is nothing to stop the authorities of the Member States from concluding contracts with railway companies to provide international services which would otherwise not be profitable, in particular as regards cross-border services, provided that the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 (1) are complied with. This depends on the willingness of the national, regional or local authorities, and the availability of sufficient funds to conclude contracts.

The implementation of the first railway package (2) in 2003 created a new legal framework which should make it easier for international groups of companies and subsequently any railway company interested to carry out such operations when these services are fully liberalised, as called for by Parliament. The creation in December 2003 of RailNetEurope, which brings together all the infrastructure managers, will promote the creation of international slots which could be used by companies which wish to introduce these services on a more dynamic commercial basis, which is essential to head off the strong competition from low-cost airlines and the regular coach services which are rapidly developing in Europe.

The Commission, which is well aware of the challenges posed by the railway sector in the transport industry, has undertaken, with the first and second railway packages, with which Parliament is very familiar, and a third package which it plans to adopt shortly, to put in place a full European regulatory framework to revitalise the industry by enabling it to offer a high standard of safe services at the European level, which is the prerequisite for its future success given the other modes of transport which are constantly improving.

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(1)  Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 of the Council of 26 June 1969 on action by Member States concerning the obligations inherent in the concept of a public service in transport by rail, road and inland waterway, OJ L 156, 28.6.1969, as amended by Council Regulation (EEC) No 1893/91 of 20 June 1991, OJ L 169, 29.6.1991.

(2)  Directive 2001/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2001 amending Council Directive 91/440/EEC on the development of the Community's railways, OJ L 75, 15.3.2001. Directive 2001/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2001 amending Directive 95/18/EC on the licensing of railway undertakings, OJ L 75, 15.3.2001. Directive 2001/14/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2001 on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure and safety certification, OJ L 75, 15.3.2001.

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