
The Parliament adopted in the final reading the new Code of Railway Transport, which eliminates the monopoly of the State Enterprise "Railway of Moldova" in the market of railway transport services.
The new Railway Code was developed to fulfill Moldova's obligations under the association agreement with the European Union, as well as to implement the Concept for the restructuring of the railway sector and the state enterprise "Railway of Moldova". The implementation of the new Code of Railway Transport will create conditions for the liquidation of the monopoly of the State Enterprise "Railway of Moldova" in the market of railway services. Thus, the railway infrastructure will continue to belong to the state, and private operators will also be able to provide services for the transportation of passengers and goods. In addition, clear rules will be established on the state's contribution to the development of railway infrastructure, which will create a favorable investment climate in Moldova in this industry and increase competitiveness in the international rail freight market. Under the new code, rail transport operators will have the right to access rail infrastructure based on a fee for its use. From the point of view of passenger transport services, the document creates the necessary legal basis for establishing strict rules for the provision of passenger transport services, a service regime, a mechanism for subsidizing public passenger transport services and other issues related to the protection of consumer rights in this area. With the restructuring of the Railways and the entry into force of the new Railway Code, the government will be required to partially finance the maintenance and reconstruction of the railway infrastructure, as well as provide subsidies to rail passenger operators. Herewith, the new Code of Railway Transport provides for the creation of the Railway Department, as an administrative body subordinate to the Ministry of Infrastructure and Regional Development, with the organizational and legal form of an agency endowed with control functions in the field of railway transport.// 03.02.2022 — InfoMarket