EU legislation on railway safety

摘要

With the safety directive the new regula-tory framework for the European rail system will be near completion. It will not provide a safer and more competitive railway itself, but aims at facilitating the process and providing the necessary framework for future developments. Finally, it will be the commitment of the sector professionals - managers on all levels, all personnel involved in all companies and undertakings contributing to the rail transport system - that will determine whether rail transport will fully exploit its potential as a modern and competitive provider of services to the citizens of Europe. The Commission does not operate the railways and can not force unwilling players and hesitating member states to improve services. The playing field will be there, but the actors have to play the ball.