By Bruno Waterfield - 30th June 2004
The Netherlands EU presidency will focus efforts on improving Europe's rail infrastructure, not providing travellers with “bureaucratic” passenger rights.
Dutch transport minister Karla Peijs told EUpolitix.com that improving rail services rather than compensating travellers for delays was the first priority.
“The best way to stop passenger delays is to improve the maintenance of the infrastructure - not by paying back passengers all the money they paid to get from A to B,” she told this website.
“I think the best thing to do is to spend money on the maintenance of the infrastructure of the railway and that is where I want to start.”
The European Commission has adopted a so-called ‘third railway package’ which includes a raft of proposals on licenses for train drivers and improving the quality of freight transport.
The legislation also includes controversial proposals for the compensation of cross-border rail passengers hit by delays.
Peijs argues that giving rights will provide jobs for bureaucrats when the focus should be railways that work.
“I can say that if I look at the different networks all over Europe I think we are really backwards in that sense, and we should start putting all our money and energy into that and not in all kinds of rights with a lot of bureaucracy,” she said.
“If we have a good network of a good quality in good shape then of course you can offer passengers something. In countries like Belgium, Germany, and UK, the railway structure is not in good shape. Let’s sort that out, and put our energy in that first.”
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