EC Reports Positive Growth for European Rail Interoperability
November 14, 2006
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The European Commission (EC) adopted its second report on the progress of interoperability across European railways. The report examines the growth of rail interoperability and implementation of rail legislation across European Union (EU) member states. The key finding of the report is that interoperability – the seamless movement of trains across the European rail network – has improved and now covers both high-speed and conventional rail networks.
Jacques Barrot, EC transport commissioner, stressed, "It is encouraging to see the growth in rail interoperability, leading to a safer, more efficient and cost-effective European railway. ... It is important that the Commission continues to monitor this issue in the future with the support of the European Railway Agency."
Interoperability refers to a train's ability to run on any stretch of the railway network in the EU. It allows companies to offer fast, reliable and efficient international services that are able to compete with road transport. An interoperable rail network provides additional benefits to citizens, such as a decrease in road congestion, air pollution and road accidents.
The EC report describes the current state of implementation of the interoperability directives (directive 96/48/EC for high-speed rail and directive 2001/16/EC for conventional rail), which aim to create an open access rail market, capable of providing seamless cross-border passenger and freight services. The report also reviews the measures taken at the national and European level to fulfil the provisions of the directives and, as a result, the progress of interoperability. Finally, the report outlines the future relationship with the European Railway Agency, which started its activities in the course of 2005.
The report concludes that the high-speed interoperability directive is now well established and fully implemented. Extensive experience has been gained in the implementation of the technical specifications for interoperability, which have been drawn up to achieve the objectives of that directive. The conventional rail interoperability directive expands the scope of the interoperable rail network. This directive is now implemented within the European Community, and the first group of technical specifications for interoperability entered into force in 2006.
The EC adopted its first report describing the progress made in high-speed rail interoperability in 2001. With the adoption of the conventional rail directive in the same year, technical provisions for interoperable rail services were expanded to cover a wider European network.
The EC's second report can be found on the EU web site on Rail Transport and Interoperability.
Source: European Commission.