New Rules to Make Trains Run Smarter Across Europe

1. What is this about?

The European Commission is informing the European Parliament about the Council’s position on a new EU rule that will make it easier to use railway tracks across the whole EU.
The rule is part of the EU’s Green Deal and its plan to make transport cleaner and smarter.

2. Why is this rule being made?

• Goal:
• Let trains use tracks more efficiently.
• Improve service quality.
• Allow more trains to run on the same network.
• Why it matters:
  A busier, better‑managed rail system helps the EU cut carbon emissions from transport.

3. What happened in the negotiations?

4. Key changes made to the original proposal

• National rules – Member States can set some general rules (e.g., require a “clock‑face” timetable or reserve track time for certain types of trains).
  Gives countries more say while still leaving track managers enough freedom.

• Military & defence – A wide exemption from the rule for military use.
  Keeps defence operations flexible.

• Penalties – New rules on how penalties are calculated and capped when capacity changes are made.
  Keeps the penalty system fair and still discourages misuse.

• Governance –

• A new body called the European Railway Platform will help rail users (train operators, freight companies, etc.) talk to track managers.

• The Commission will no longer run the European Network of Rail Regulatory Bodies (ENRRB) alone; it will co‑chair with a national regulator.
  Improves dialogue and balances power between EU and national regulators.

5. What the Commission says

• The Commission agrees with the Council’s final version.
• Once the rule is adopted, the Commission will issue a statement explaining how it will work with the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA).
• ERA already collects and analyses rail data. The Commission plans to use ERA’s tools to monitor track use, check how well the rail sector performs, and avoid duplicate data collection.
  This is meant to simplify things and make regulation more efficient.

6. Bottom line for everyday people

The EU is creating a new set of rules that will let trains run more smoothly and reliably across Europe.
The changes give national governments a bit more control, protect military needs, keep penalties fair, and set up a new platform for better communication between train operators and track managers.
The Commission will work with the existing rail agency to make sure the new rules are implemented efficiently and without unnecessary paperwork.

Broader Context

This regulation updates rules from Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 on rail capacity allocation. It fits the EU's Fourth Railway Package (2016) and Green Deal to create a single European railway area with open markets, fair access, and less road freight. The proposal started in July 2023 to boost capacity by 4% (250 million extra train-km yearly). transport.ec.europa

Impact on People Living in the EU

People will see more frequent and reliable trains, including cross-border ones, with first changes in timetables by December 2030. It cuts delays at borders and supports greener travel by shifting from cars and trucks to rail. Businesses get flexible freight for goods delivery. otif