Brussels, 12 November 2020
On the 12th of November, the European Council and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement that will support a range of events and other initiatives designed to increase the proportion of people and goods travelling by rail, in line with the European Commission’s initiative to give train travel extra attention over the course of next year as part of its Green Deal.
The Year of Rail plan aims at promoting railways as a sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport, which can guarantee essential services even during unexpected crises. This has been shown by the strategic role played by rail in maintaining crucial connections during the COVID-19 pandemic, for the transport of both people and essential goods.
Other objectives for the year will include raising awareness of the cross-border European dimension of rail transport and increasing its contribution to the EU’s economy, industry and society.
The Commission will be asked to consider launching two feasibility studies. The first study should look at designing a “European label to promote goods”, while the second would consider a “rail connectivity index”, along the lines of a database that already exists for aviation links.
Moreover, 2021 will be a pivotal year for rail transport as it is set to be the first full year during which the rules of the Fourth Railway Package apply, thus opening the rail market and reducing administrative costs.
The provisional agreement is subject to approval by the Council. The presidency intends to submit the agreement for endorsement by the Council’s Permanent Representatives Committee in the near future.