Skip to main content
Mobility and Transport
News article22 December 2021Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport

European Commission adopts COVID-19 relief measure for rail transport

Today, the European Commission adopted a measure to support the EU rail sector amid new restrictions to prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19. 

Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “The COVID-19 crisis presents an unprecedented challenge to people, businesses and governments everywhere – including here in the EU. For more than 20 months now, the pandemic has created extraordinary circumstances that affect the day-to-day activity of transport companies and operators. We are today proposing this relief measure to ensure the continuation of rail services in these difficult times.”

To reduce the financial burden on railway undertakings during the pandemic, the EU adopted Regulation (EU) 2020/1429 in October 2020, allowing the Member States to decrease or waive track access charges temporarily. Given the continued negative impact of COVID-19 on the sector, the Commission is now proposing to prolong the period in which the Member States can use this option beyond 2021.

Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2020/1429 as regards the duration of the reference period for the application of temporary measures concerning the levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure

 

Details

Publication date
22 December 2021
Author
Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport