„After the impact of the global recession many European economies are recovering well with consistent growth forecasts. With growing congestion, environmental pressures and the acceleration of new technology, there has never been a better time for the rail industry to respond to the new challenges”, Piers Marlow, president of European Passenger Transport Operators said on the occasion of Railway PRO Investment Summit – Building the new CEE Railway Economy, organised in Bucharest, 6 – 7 October, by Club Feroviar with the support of the Romanian Railway Industry Association (AIF).
Not every country responds to the opportunities offered and sees the improvements the passengers want and deserve in the same way, the association believes. In this respect, EU 1370 Directive and the 4th Rail Package have been instrumental in improving the adoption of good practise in many areas.
Since 2014 a number of parties have played crucial roles in “watering down” key elements of the 4th Rail package
„This is disappointing – but not surprising”, EPTO highlights identifying three scenarios for the matter: A – against this background there remain a number of countries and regions that provide excellent examples of best practise; B – there are areas in Europe which claim to be fully supportive of reform but use the detail inherent in tendering to resist change and C – those who simply do not adopt change or embrace tendering for public service obligation.
Innovation has been encouraged and even rewarded, the best examples being in countries such as Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK for the A list, Denmark, Poland, the Czech Republic and Italy for the B list and France, Belgium and Slovakia for the C list.
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