EC Warns Bulgaria over Railway Access Charges

The EC is warning Bulgaria about its failure to implement a methodology for the calculation of railway access charges which would comply with the EU railway directives. File Photo

The European Commission has sent a reasoned opinion to Bulgaria today regarding its failure to properly implement the 'first railway package' legislation, the EC informs.

In a press release, issued Wednesday, the Commission points out Bulgaria will need to solve important issues relating to its system of railway track access charges.

The EU directives of the first railway package foresee that charges for railway track access should be set, in principle, at the cost that is directly incurred as a result of operating the train service.

The EC sent a letter of formal notice to Bulgaria in June 2008 regarding the issue, after which the country made a number of modifications to its national rules in order to comply with EU law, the press release points out. The EC however stresses on the fact that shortcomings in relation to the implementation of the rules on track access charging still exist and the Bulgarian infrastructure manager had failed to implement a methodology for the calculation of charges which would comply with the railway directives.

The EU rules on track access charges aim to encourage an optimal use of the rail infrastructure. A lack of transposition may lead to access charges which would exclude segments of the market that may at least pay the cost directly incurred as a result of operating the train service. It may also lead to unjustified discrimination between market segments, the EC explains.

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