Licensing of railway undertakings. Railway package

PURPOSE: to upgrade the European railway sector by creating conditions conducive to the development of a dynamic and competitive railway system to meet the needs of clients. COMMUNITY MEASURE: Directive 2001/13/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Directive 95/18/EC on the licensing of railway undertakings. CONTENT: This Directive concerns the criteria applicable to the issue, renewal, or amendment of licences by a Member State intended for railway undertakings which are or will be established in the Community. The present Directive increases the provisions of 95/18/EC which introduced a licence for railway undertakings providing international transport services and the combined international transport of goods. Licences granted by a Member State where the rail transport company is established, are valid for the whole of the Community. As a consequence, all transport companies can avail of the possibility of access to new markets on a uniform and non-discriminatory basis and without the licence constituting an obstacle to entry in the market. ENTRY INTO FORCE: 15/03/2001 IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE: 15/03/2003.�