The Commission published on 30 August 2010 its Opinion (COM(2010) 457 final) on the amendments introduced by the European Parliament on the proposal for a Regulation concerning a European rail network for competitive freight. 

The European Parliament position, to which EC position is referred to and that was put to the vote on 15 June 2010, is the result of the compromise reached at the last trilogue, mainly regarding access to the corridor, through the setting-up of a one-stop shop and the reservation of train paths by undertakings other than railway undertakings ('authorised applicants'). This compromise was ratified by the Council in June, subject to a draft declaration by the Commission.

In its opinion the Commission now underlines that the one-stop-shop is a joint body set up or designated by the management board of each corridor and whose function is that of a coordination tool. It may be a technical body within the corridor management structure or one of the infrastructure managers concerned.

The proposal for a Regulation concerning a European rail network for competitive freight is aimed at encouraging Member States, and above all rail infrastructure managers, to develop a European rail network 'for competitive freight' made up of freight-oriented international rail corridors.

These corridors should allow freight trains to benefit from good-quality train paths, thereby enabling them to display a higher standard of service (punctuality, journey times) than at present: a crucial factor in attracting rail freight customers. They will also make it possible to free up additional capacity for rail freight, which has been growing for a number of years (despite the effects of the economic crisis, this trend looks set to continue in the next few years).

The Commission proposes four focal points for creating these corridors:

• Greater cooperation and harmonisation between rail infrastructure managers with regard to both the operational management of infrastructure and investment, in particular by putting in place a governance structure for each corridor
• Increase in the reliability and the amount of infrastructure capacity allocated to rail freight on freight-oriented international rail corridors
• Enhanced coordination between the rail network and goods terminals (maritime and inland ports, marshalling yards, etc.)
• Exemplary corridors with non-discriminatory access for operators and transparency in access conditions, particularly through publication of the rules and of a substantial amount of relevant information.