By Henrietta Billings - 21st April 2004
MEPs on Thursday gave their final seal of approval to proposals which will throw open Europe's rail freight market to competition.
A full sitting of the European Parliament in Strasbourg backed the "second railway package" plans designed complete the single European market in rail services.
"The EU was responsible for liberalising air transport in Europe more than a decade ago, and that sector has boomed as a result," said Dirk Sterckx, the author of one of the parliament's reports.
"Now rail transport desperately needs the same impetus of Europe-wide competition to improve efficiency and service quality, and compete effectively for a much greater share of the transport market.
"These measures will benefit consumers with more choice and the environment with more sustainable development."
The rail industry also welcomed the outcome of the vote.
"Today's agreement is an important step forward for the rail community," said Johannes Ludewig, executive director of the Community of European Railways.
"For the first time we now have a clear timetable for opening up the rail freight market to competition."
Under the plans, which include four proposals, the international rail freight market will be fully opened to competition by January 2006, and for all domestic freight services across the EU in 2007.
All sides also agreed to work for 2010 as a date for the liberalisation of international passenger traffic, a previous hurdle in negotiations.
The agreement will be formally approved by EU governments at the Council of Ministers before coming into force.
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