On 3rd July the European Parliament (EP) adopted a recommendation for a second reading by qualified majority voting (QMV), drafted by Debora Serracchiani, on behalf of Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), at the Plenary in Strasbourg.

Report on a recommendation for a second reading on the adoption of a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a single European railway area (recast) (18581/2/2011 – C7-0268/2010 – 2010/0253(COD))

After the EP adopted the proposal at its first reading on 16th November 2011 the Council reached a political agreement on 12th December 2011 and a position on the first reading on 8th March 2012 by qualified majority. In the meantime the EP, the Council and the Commission have taken part in negotiations, to try and come to an agreement over a second reading, but the Council have not shifted far from their initial position. Similarly the Rapporteur has maintained the position the EP adopted at the first reading apart from certain minor changes made by Council to the Commission proposal. "The Commission states in its communication on the Council's position. "While still being in line with the general objective of simplification and increasing transparency by consolidating three existing directives and their modifications, the Council weakened the Commission proposal concerning access to rail-related services, infrastructure financing, infrastructure charges and powers of the regulatory body. In some cases, the Council's position confirms existing law without further improvement." (Serracchiani Recommendation)

Although the EP's proposal to establish a single European railway area is an ambitious one the Rapporteur maintains that a transport sector, unhampered by national boundaries and various national railway systems, should still be the primary objective. Until such time as a single European railway area is achieved development of the rail sector, and its competiveness with to other modes of transport, will continue to be limited. On the 31st May TRAN adopted the recommendation for a second reading, drafted by Debora Serracchiani (35 for, 6 against, 1 abstention), recommending amendments to the Council's position in the following areas:

Exclusions from the scope:

Infrastructure manager:

Independence of essential functions of an infrastructure manager:

Management of railway undertakings in accordance with commercial standards:

Transparent separation of accounts:

Sound financing of the infrastructure manager:

Limitations on the right of access:

Levy on railway undertakings providing passenger services:

Conditions of access to services:

Scope of market opening:

General requirements for obtaining a licence:

Requirements relating to civil liability:

Infrastructure cost and accounts:

Principles of charging:

Capacity rights:

Regulatory body:

European Regulatory Body:

Report on First Reading can be read here

The Impact Assessment can be read here and the Summary here

The Report can be read here and the Press Release here

Or alternatively visit the website: www.europarl.europa.eu

The Recommendation for Second Reading can be read here and the Press Release here

Or alternatively visit the website: www.europarl.europa.eu

Council of the European Union Press Release here

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