WRITTEN QUESTION E-3728/02 by Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Withdrawal of train 299.
Date: 2002-12-19
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: common transport policy, organisation of transport, provision of services, rail transport, transport company

C 268 E/44

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

7.11.2003

(2003/C 268 E/048)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3728/02

by Giacomo Santini (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(19 December 2002)

Subject: Withdrawal of train 299

The Belgian rail company SNCB has announced that as from 15 December 2002 the night train No 299
(which also carries vehicles) will no longer run. This decision appears to have been made following the
failure of the rail companies of the countries concerned (Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Switzerland and
Italy) to agree on how to divide the operating costs. This route is of considerable importance for those EU
citizens who are unable to travel by air for geographical, financial or health reasons. The decision runs
contrary to the EU’s overall transport policy, with its objective of developing rail travel, and is also
immediately harmful to the EU institutions, which have a direct interest in a service used by Members,
officials and members of the public.

Can the Commission state what measures it will take to obtain an explanation of this decision, and what
action it will take to secure an agreement between the countries concerned? Can the Commission also take
immediate steps to ensure that this service is in fact not withdrawn, even for a single day?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(31 January 2003)

The Commission is aware that this service was discontinued on 15 December 2002. It regrets that the rail
companies concerned have decided to reduce international services, but recognises that they are entitled to
seek to optimise their organisation, including by not losing money on this type of service, as required by
Article 5 of Council Directive 91/440/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the development of the Community’s
railways (1).

The Commission has no other information on the specific reasons which prompted this decision. It would
point out, nonetheless, that if the main reason is financial, Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 (2) allows the
competent national authorities of the Member States to conclude public service contracts with rail
companies to operate train services on routes which would not be profitable without financial support
from the public authorities.

The Commission intends, before the end of 2003, to present a proposal for a regulation on the rights and
obligations of passengers in international rail traffic and a proposal for a directive to enable rail companies
to become more competitive by facilitating access to the market in international passenger services.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.
(2) Council Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 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.

(2003/C 268 E/049)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3744/02

by Proinsias De Rossa (PSE) to the Commission

(20 December 2002)

Subject: Seat belts on school buses

In a reply to Written Question E-2901/94 (1) concerning seat belts in school buses, the Commission said
that it had no plans at that point to propose legislation making the wearing of seat-belts mandatory on
school buses on the grounds that such a law would be ‘premature until a significant number of school
buses are actually fitted with seat belts’.