Regulation 2019/554 - Amendment of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC on the certification of train drivers operating locomotives and trains on the railway system in the EC - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 97/1

Point 8 of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC establishes the level of language skills to be fulfilled by train drivers, so that they can communicate actively and effectively in routine, degraded and emergency situations. Moreover, it gives the possibility of exempting the train drivers from the required level of language skills in sections between the borders and the stations situated close to the borders and designated for cross border operations. In order to enhance flexibility without any negative impact on safety, it is necessary to amend point 8 of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC.

The requirements specified in point 8 of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC are not considered to be the most effective means of ensuring a high level of safety while allowing efficient operation of the rail network. This is particularly true in case of disruptions on the railway network of a Member State requiring the use of deviation routes through neighbouring Member States. In those cases, train drivers with specific language skills are sought at short notice to drive on the deviation routes, hence ensuring the continuity of operations.

It is necessary to explore alternative options to the current language requirements allowing for greater flexibility but ensuring at least an equivalent level of safety with the current requirements. Those options could consist in more targeted language requirements (i.e. with focus on rail specific terminology), or to a lower general language level combined with alternative means to support effective communication. They should ensure an active and effective communication in routine, degraded and emergency situations.

In order to obtain reliable results on the effectiveness of the alternative options, it is necessary to test the alternative means in day-to-day operations. Therefore, the impact of those alternative options should be examined under real conditions in the framework of pilot projects conducted in two phases. In the first phase, infrastructure managers and railway undertakings should carry out pilot projects using alternative means and involving train drivers who fulfil the requirements under point 8 of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC. If in the first phase those pilot projects prove that the alternative means effectively complement the language skills of the driver, then in the second phase the pilot projects should be carried out with train drivers having a lower level of language skills than those required in point 8 of Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC and using the alternative means proved effective in the first phase. A derogation should be requested jointly by the railway undertaking and infrastructure manager to the Commission for carrying out the second phase.

The respective roles and responsibilities of all parties involved, such as the Commission, national safety authorities and the European Union Agency for Railways, in the process of submitting and assessing the requests for derogation as well as carrying out the pilot projects should be clarified.

The involvement of the national safety...