COUNCIL EXTENDS COVID-19 RAIL TRANSPORT MEASURES
On 24 February, the Council of the European Union extended until 30 June 2022 the emergency measures put in place in October 2020 to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on the railway sector. The measures give Member States the possibility to provide relief from certain infrastructure charges for rail companies while ensuring a timely refund for infrastructure providers.
Due to the unpredictability of the COVID-19 outbreak, the decision was also taken to prolong until 31 December 2023 the powers of the Commission to adopt delegated acts, so that it can extend the measure, if necessary, for a maximum period of six months each time.
Member States will continue to inform the Commission of any measures they take, and the Commission will make this information publicly available.
The legal act was signed by both institutions on the same day and will be published in the EU Official Journal on 28 February. It will enter into force the day after its publication in the Official Journal and will be applied retroactively from 1 January 2022.
Source: Council of the EU