A Study on the Current Status of Railway Legislation in the European Union

The European Union has implemented policies focusing on the principle of separation of infrastructure and operation and market opening(open access) for 30 years to revitalize railway transportation. The EU's rail policy is starting from the Council Directive 91/440/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the development of the Community's railways. In 1995, two guidelines (Council Directive 95/18/EC of 19 June 1995 on the licensing of railway undertakings and Council Directive 95/19/EC of 19 June 1995 on the allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and the charging of infrastructure fees) were issued, and in 2001 the so-called First Railway Package reiterated open access and competition in the international railway cargo market to further develop their guidelines. The second railway package in 2004 stipulated the harmonization of different certification and safety regulations, and the creation of the European union agency for railways to promote safety and mutual operation. In 2007, the third railway package has consistently promoted the development of the railway industry through competition, such as declaring the introduction of competition in international passenger services. The European Commission analyzed the performance and problems between 2011 and 2012, and announced the fourth railway package containing the results and supplementary measures. The Fourth Railway Package is a set of six legislation designed to complete a single market for railway services, with an important goal being to revitalize the railway sector and to increase competitiveness over other means of transport.