To ensure that this little rail revolution runs smoothly, Europe is putting safeguards in place: "Each Member State should establish an independent regulator to put an end to discriminatory practices and distortions on the rail services market, according to a legislative proposal adopted on Tuesday", says the press release published on 12 October by the European Commission. To put it plainly, rail companies' pricing and finances must not be allowed to become so opaque as to distort competition, and their control must be impartial. "We are all in favour of competitiveness and against discrimination, but we must ensure that everything is done fairly", notes rapporteur Debora Serracchiani, before adding: "In the future, I hope that we will have a single European regulator, in a single liberalised rail market".
