Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, on behalf of the European Commission, has declined to propose a revision of Directive (EU) 2016/798 on railway safety, despite persistent concerns over the Greek railway network's systemic safety deficit. In a written answer to MEP Elena Kountoura (The Left), the Commissioner stated that the Commission does not intend to amend the directive at this stage, instead pointing to the upcoming revision of Regulation (EU) 2016/796 on the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) as the vehicle for strengthening oversight.
The answer was given in response to a parliamentary question submitted on 17 February 2026, in which Kountoura pressed the Commission on how it would ensure that ERA can exercise timely and effective control over national safety authorities, including active intervention when serious breaches of EU law are detected. The MEP also asked whether the Commission would propose a revision of Directive 2016/798 to create a European intervention mechanism for cases where rail safety is demonstrably at risk in a Member State.
Tzitzikostas confirmed that the proposal for revising the ERA Regulation is under preparation, with adoption foreseen in the second half of 2026. He noted that a recent evaluation found that one challenge of the current ERA mandate is insufficient monitoring and reporting of actions in response to deficiencies identified during audits of national safety authorities, especially those with greater capacity limitations. However, he gave no details on the content of the upcoming proposal, saying it is too early.
Policy orientation and institutional follow-up The Commission's position signals a preference for strengthening ERA's role within the existing regulatory framework rather than creating new intervention powers through a directive revision. This approach maintains the current division of responsibilities, where Member States and national authorities remain primarily responsible for rail safety under Article 4 of Directive 2016/798. The decision not to revise the directive may disappoint those seeking a more direct EU intervention mechanism, but the upcoming ERA regulation revision could still enhance oversight of national safety authorities. The proposal is expected in the second half of 2026, with the legislative process likely to extend into 2027.
← Atlas › News › Transport & Infrastructure