The House of Rail members welcome the adoption of the proposal for a European competitive rail freight network by the European Parliament on 23rd April 2009. In line with earlier requests, they are particularly pleased with several of the amendments adopted, as they provide for more flexibility, less bureaucracy but also more transparency.

The House of Rail (HoR) is particularly pleased with a stronger involvement of railway undertakings (RUs) in the corridor governance bodies. The HoR expects that this will help shape the infrastructure more to the needs of its customers.

The HoR hopes, however, that the greater freedom of the Member States provided by the European Parliament in defining at minimum one corridor only will still provide enough self - incentives to them to create more.

However, the House of Rail is concerned by the less stringent provisions regarding slot cancellations. The political objective of making networks more reliable and performing will not be achieved by just asking for reducing delays to a minimum possible in the case of cancelled slots. Daily experience of the RUs does not support this wishful thinking.

Last but not least, the House of Rail urges the European institutions, notably the Council, to strengthen the proposal by securing more investments into these freight networks, especially at cross-border sections as well as the starting and end points (first and last mile).