COVID-19 rail transport measures adopted by Council - Main contents
The Council today adopted emergency measures to help the rail sector in the current difficult situation caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The measures will give member states the possibility to provide relief from certain infrastructure charges for rail companies while ensuring a timely refund for infrastructure providers.
This temporary derogation from existing rules on levying charges for the use of railway infrastructure will apply retroactively from 1 March 2020 until 31 December 2020, and can be extended if necessary.
Member states will inform the Commission of any measures they take, and the Commission will make this information publicly available.
The Council adopted the emergency measures by written procedure. The final text is the result of coordinating the positions at first reading between the European Parliament and the Council. The Parliament voted on the measures on 17 September 2020.
The legal act is expected to be signed by both institutions in the margins of the Parliament's plenary session next week and to be published in the EU Official Journal on 12 October. It will enter into force the day after it is published in the Official Journal.