Following its announcement of an action plan to improve the security of rail passengers in the EU, the Commission adopted the decision to launch an EU Rail Passenger Security Platform. The Platform will support the collection of information on rail security, the optimisation of security of cross-border rail services and the definition of a coordination mechanism to avoid unilateral decisions at national level. It will play a key role in the effective exchange of vital information at EU level. It will also help Member States and railway stakeholders to put in place a mechanism to quickly assess new threats and security incidents, and to undertake an appropriate coordinated response. The action plan delivers on President Juncker’s political priority of creating a Europe that protects, empowers and defends.
Background
The terrorist risk against rail transport remains significant and any gap in the protection of rail passengers, notably cross-border rail passenger services, could be exploited. Measures are needed at European level, which would complement the measures put in place by the Member States, while preserving the accessibility of rail transport, and the efforts made to achieve the Internal Market for rail transport services. It is up to the Member States and the rail operators to determine and put in place the measures necessary to achieve these objectives. However, coordination at European level is often very difficult and can lead to an insufficient level of protection in the EU. Member States consider that their rail networks are largely a domestic issue. The creation of a European security framework will improve coordination at European level. It is essential that public transport be protected while offering openness and ease of access, short waiting times and affordable prices to function properly as a means of mass transport.
Source: European Commission
