Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed the law
On Amendments to Laws on Railway Transport on 20 July,
BelTA learned from the press service of the head of state.
The document was adopted to establish a modern legal framework and ensure that the economy and the public are provided with high-quality, safe and reliable railway transport services. It defines the general rights and responsibilities of both railway infrastructure owners (public railway transport organizations) and owners of non-public railway tracks (other organizations whose operations involve train movement and shunting activities).
The law requires owners of railway tracks to keep records of railway safety violations, investigate such incidents and notify the authorized state body about them.
It also expands the list of personnel required to undergo mandatory medical examinations, medical reassessments, and pre-trip or pre-shift medical examinations or screenings.
In addition, the law clarifies several categories of passenger rail services, including interregional and regional routes, and introduces a new type of train: express economy-class trains on regional lines.
The legislation also transfers paramilitary security responsibilities to the Security Department of the Belarusian Ministry of Internal Affairs.