THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Directive 2007/59/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the certification of train drivers operating locomotives and trains on the railway system in the Community, and in particular Article 31 thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
Certain provisions in Annex VI to Directive 2007/59/EC regarding the language requirements of B1 level for train drivers represent an unnecessary high burden in very specific cases where train drivers only reach the border station of a neighbouring Member State, hence impacting on the continuity of cross-border operations.
(2)
Therefore it is necessary to reduce the superfluous linguistic burden in the sections between the borders and the stations situated close to the borders and designated for cross-border operations, by exempting the concerned train drivers from the language requirements of B1 level.
(3)
As prerequisite for the exemption, sufficient arrangements should be in place for ensuring communication between the concerned drivers and the staff of the infrastructure manager in routine, degraded and emergency situations, in order to avoid any negative impact on the safety of the railway system.
(4)
Transitional measures should be provided for train drivers who have obtained or will obtain their licence in accordance with Directive 2007/59/EC before the date of application of national provisions transposing this Directive.
(5)
Directive 2007/59/EC should therefore be amended accordingly.
(6)
The measures provided for in this Directive are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 32(1) of Directive 2007/59/EC,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: