![Improving use of rail infrastructure capacity [EU Legislation in Progress]](https://i0.wp.com/epthinktank.eu/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/EPRS-Briefing-754599-Rail-infrastructure-capacity-FINAL.png?fit=1024%2C573&ssl=1)
Written by Monika Kiss (5th edition, updated on 12.01.2026).
In July 2023, the European Commission tabled a package of proposals aimed at greening freight transport. One of these proposals focuses on improving the use of rail infrastructure capacity. The proposed text suggests changes to the rules governing the planning and allocation of railway infrastructure capacity, which are currently outlined in Directive 2012/34/EU and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010. The goal of the changes is to enhance the management of rail infrastructure capacity and traffic so as to improve service quality, optimise railway network usage, increase traffic capacity and enhance the transport sector’s contribution to decarbonisation.
In the European Parliament, the file was referred to the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), which appointed Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) as rapporteur. The TRAN committee adopted its report on 4 March 2024. Parliament adopted its first-reading position during its March 2024 plenary session. The Council adopted its general approach on 18 June 2024, and following the European elections, the TRAN committee voted on 7 October 2024 to start interinstitutional negotiations. A provisional agreement was reached on 18 November 2025.
Complete version
- January 2026: ‘Improving use of rail infrastructure capacity‘ (5th edition)
| Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the use of railway infrastructure capacity in the single European railway area, amending Directive 2012/34/EU and repealing Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 | ||
| Committee responsible: | Transport and Tourism (TRAN) | COM(2023) 443 11.7.2023 |
| Rapporteur: | Tilly Metz (Greens/EFA, Luxembourg) | 2023/0271 (COD) |
| Shadow rapporteurs: | Gheorghe Falcă (EPP, Romania) Johan Danielsson (S&D, Sweden) Ondřej Kovařík (PfE, Czechia) Ondřej Krutílek (ECR, Czechia) Valérie Devaux (Renew, France) Arash Saeidi (The Left, France) | Ordinary legislative procedure (COD) (Parliament and Council on equal footing – formerly ‘co-decision’) |
| Next steps expected: | Consideration in TRAN at second reading | |
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