Transport Commissioner Neil Kinnock this month called on nationalised continental railway companies to embrace change, accept liberalisation and allow access for privatised operators, such as Virgin, to rail networks across the continent. Otherwise they would face a bleak future.
Previous moves by the Commission to open up the networks have been unsuccessful, as Europe's nationalised rail companies depend on subsidies and are fearful of competition. The companies have refused to allow competitors from neighbouring countries to use the national networks.
Now MEPs want the Commission to take new initiatives, and propose legislation following the British practice of separating ownership of track from operating services. In the first instance this would allow rail companies to offer freight services Europewide using new style "rail freight freeways" operating, for example, from Rotterdam to Milan.
MEPs recognised that there were issues of costs to work out, but Brian Simpson (UK, PES) agreed with the Commission that there was a need to act. Otherwise, the consequences would be no rail freight in 20 years time.
Indeed, Anne McIntosh (UK, EPP) pointed to the environmental benefits of switching freight from road to rail. The principle of open access should be embraced, she added, with a system of fair pricing introduced for the user.
Mr Kinnock announced that new proposals on access to networks would be published in the spring, including guidelines for charges. These would be followed by further detailed proposals on state aids to both road and rail routes. It was also the Commission's intention to extend the 35-hour week working-time directive to all sectors of the transport industry, and to publish a white paper on charges in general.
Some 500,000 jobs have been lost in the rail industry across Europe in the last 12 years; the fear now is that, without major change, the million workers remaining will be at risk.