Case C‑120/20

Koleje Mazowieckie – KM Sp. z o.o.

v

Skarb Państwa – Minister Infrastruktury i Budownictwa, now Minister Infrastruktury, and Prezes Urzędu Transportu Kolejowego
and
PKP Polskie Linie Kolejowe S.A.

(Request for a preliminary ruling from the Sąd Najwyższy)

Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 8 July 2021

(Reference for a preliminary ruling – Rail transport – Allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure – Directive 2001/14/EC – Article 4(5) – Charging – Article 30 – National regulatory body tasked with ensuring that infrastructure charges comply with that directive – Contract for use of infrastructure concluded between the infrastructure manager and a railway undertaking – Incorrect transposition – State liability – Claim for damages – Prior referral to the national regulatory body)

1. Transport – Rail transport – Directive 2001/14 – Allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure – Levying of charges for the use of infrastructure – Obligations of the Member States – Respect for the independence of the infrastructure manager – Scope – National legislation allowing the civil courts to determine, in equity, the charge applicable – Not permissible

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2001/14, Arts 4(5) and 30)

   (see paragraphs 48-51)

2. Transport – Rail transport – Directive 2001/14 – Allocation of railway infrastructure capacity and levying of charges for the use of railway infrastructure – Levying of charges for the use of infrastructure – Setting of individual charges by the infrastructure manager

   (European Parliament and Council Directive 2001/14, Arts 4(5) and 30)

   (see paragraphs 53-59, operative part 1)

3. EU law – Rights conferred on individuals – Infringement by a Member State – Obligation to make good damage caused to individuals – Conditions

   (see paragraphs 61-63, operative part 2)

See the text of the decision.