Article 9 — Management of railway infrastructure capacity

1. Infrastructure managers shall ensure that railway infrastructure capacity is managed in all phases of the capacity management process referred to in Article 6 of this Regulation in accordance with the principles set out in Article 26 of Directive 2012/34/EU and in Article 2 of this Regulation. 2. When taking decisions on railway infrastructure capacity, infrastructure managers shall take into account the strategic guidance and national requirements on the utilisation of railway infrastructure capacity provided by Member States in accordance with Article 4 where Member States have provided such guidance and requirements. Planning and capacity allocation shall follow equitable, transparent and non-discriminatory procedures. 3. Infrastructure managers shall plan and allocate capacity to the greatest extent possible, involving the applicants concerned, seeking solutions compatible with applicants’ capacity needs and requests for capacity rights, while ensuring the overall optimal use of railway infrastructure on the network concerned.