Legislative Developments in Rail Transport in 2009

Several major changes were introduced into Polish rail transport law in 2009. As it is often the case with legislative changes of recent years, most of the amendments were inspired by European law. The transposition deadlines for several major directives passed in 2009 accompanied by the entry into force of some key EU regulations in the area of rail transport. The long awaited amendments relating to the liability of railway undertakings and insurance obligations relating to passengers, their luggage and train delays were finally introduced in 2009. At the same time, railway undertakings were very concerned with the implementation of Directive 2007/58/EC2 introducing infrastructure access rights for rail carriers from other Member States in relation to international passenger services.