The proposal on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the levying of charges for the use of the railway infrastructure and safety certification will replace the existing Directive 95/19/EC. The revised proposal sets rules and charges and creates a framework for allocation of capacity.
The Commission took into account as much as possible the views of the European Parliament expressed during the first reading by taking up amendments either fully or in their meaning.
The Commission is of the opinion that the overall compromise found by the Council after intensive discussions and efforts of three of its Presidencies is a well-balanced step forward in railway policy. It will contribute to a sustainable development of this mode of transport.
The Commission is convinced that this second step of reform of the legal framework for rail transport services represents an important step towards the creation of a "level playing field" for all enterprises active or envisaging to get active in rail transport and, therefore, issues a positive opinion.�