Europe takes important step towards unified rail market

On Thursday, the European Council gave the go-ahead for the opening of the European rail market for passenger transport, which should give rail operators easier access to the European rail network. The new rules also tighten financial transparency between rail network operators and rail companies belonging to the same holding company. This may also be important for freight transport, as in some member states freight operators complain of discrimination in favour of historical rail companies, which in many cases have a link to rail network operators.