Today, the European Parliament approved the Council’s Common Position on the Market Pillar of the Fourth Railway Package. The approval by the Parliament marks the end of four years of intense negotiations. The text will now undergo some minor procedural steps and is expected to be published in the EU Official Journal shortly.

EIM’s President Antti Vehviläinen said: “EIM members welcome the adoption of the Fourth Railway Package and notably its recognition of the role that Infrastructure Managers are to play in completing the Single European Railway Area. The Fourth Railway Package gives rail infrastructure managers the mandate to continue striving to deliver a high performing, sustainable and efficient rail infrastructure that meets customers’ needs and benefits society as a whole.”

EIM Executive Director Monika Heiming commented: “EIM welcomes the adoption of the Fourth Railway Package. After almost four years of intense negotiations, the Fourth Railway Package brings about some legal stability and a set of rules which EIM trusts will have a positive impact on the future of the railway sector in the years to come.”