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Editorial
 Dear Visitor,
Spring has arrived in Brussels and following an unexpected big freeze, caused by uncertainties over the introduction of the new Lisbon Treaty, European politics is moving ahead again.
Only days after the rail sector bid farewell to Antonio Tajani at the European Railway Award 2010, the Estonian Siim Kallas took over as the new European Commission Vice-President responsible for transport. Vice-President Kallas already met with some chief executives of European railway companies, who provided him with a memorandum on transport policy. A dedicated European Commission Directorate General for Transport and Mobility (DG MOVE) was also established last month, headed by Matthias Ruete. After months of caretaking, all seems set for a fresh start and a productive spring period in European transport politics.
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Future of Transport |
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European railways urge complete turnaround of EU transport policy
Siim Kallas and Connie Hedegaard, European commissioners responsible for transport and climate action respectively, were presented with briefings on the future of European transport policy this week. Drafted by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and approved by its 74 members, the papers urge a complete turnaround in European Union transport policy to make real progress in reducing transport emissions: “Current transport policy acts against the overarching EU objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” it is stated. The briefings were sent to the two commissioners and other representatives from the EU institutions in early February.
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EU climate action work needs to focus on transport, says EU official
A transport and climate legislation package similar to the one agreed by the European Union at the end of 2008 on energy and climate is now needed, Jos Delbeke from the European Commission said at a special debriefing on the Copenhagen summit organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) in the European Parliament on 12 January.
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Rail has a key role in tackling climate change, MEPs confirm in a vote
Voting in Brussels on 16 March, members of the European Parliament's Environment Committee emphasised the importance of more environmentally-friendly transport when adapting the European Union's policies to climate change challenges. The European rail sector particularly welcomes provisions to encourage the use of lower carbon modes of transport, and to ensure that all modes abide by the "polluter pays" principle.
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Charging trucks for pollution will benefit the economy
A new report has shown that EU plans to charge road vehicles for the damage they do to the environment would have a positive effect on the economy, despite claims from opponents who argue the costs of such a policy would be too high. The researchers conclude that "the overall benefits of charging for external costs outweigh the limited negative price impacts on individual transport operators." Indeed, the expected net benefit for the European economy amounts to EUR 2.3 billion a year – very good news for an economy shaken by the economic crisis.
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German president demands more sustainable transport policy
A wake up call on transport policy was given by German President Horst Köhler in Munich on 16 January. At a reception hosted by the automobile club ADAC, Köhler called for a turnaround. "Mobility, as it is practised today, will not be sustainable in the future,” Köhler said, and pointed to the worldwide consequences of excessive car use. “If we want to remain mobile in the future – and also want to improve the mobility of people in poorer countries, we must have a rethink. A fundamental rethink." Instead of mere statements of intent, local and long-distance public transport must be expanded, “it must be put at the very core of our transport policies,” Köhler demanded.
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CER/EIM/UNIFE Position Paper on ‘A Sustainable Future for Transport’
The European rail sector calls for the future of sustainable, efficient and customer focused transport in Europe to be based on the principles described in the common position paper of CER, EIM, and UNIFE.
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CER Position Paper on the study ‘EU Transport Greenhouse Gases (GHG): Routes to 2050’
A new report has shown that EU plans to charge road vehicles for the damage they do to the environment would have a positive effect on the economy, despite claims from opponents who argue the costs of such a policy would be too high. The researchers conclude that “the overall benefits of charging for external costs outweigh the limited negative price impacts on individual transport operators.” Indeed, the expected net benefit for the European economy amounts to EUR 2.3 billion a year – very good news for an economy shaken by the economic crisis.
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CER joins Sustainable Energy Europe campaign
The EcoPassenger and EcoTransIT web tools were recognised as best educational practices by the European Commission on 8 February. With this acknowledgement, the rail sector has become an official partner of the Sustainable Energy Europe (SEE) campaign. The campaign, launched in 2005 as a European Commission initiative in the framework of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, contributes to achieving the European Union's 2020 energy policy targets.
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Moving People |
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Opening national rail markets will help to improve passenger services
Opening national rail passenger markets in Europe to competition is an important step for increasing the quality and productivity of passenger services, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) confirmed on 12 March. Meeting in Brussels with Henrik Hololei, Head of Cabinet of European Commission Vice-President and Transport Commissioner Siim Kallas, CER also referred to a data analysis indicating that market opening as a basic condition for better rail services needs to coincide with other complementary conditions to make it a true success story.
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International rail passenger markets open since January 2010
As of 1 January 2010 all European rail undertakings are granted the right of access to the rail infrastructure in other member states for the purpose of operating an international passenger service. This will offer new business opportunities to rail undertakings and infrastructures managers allowing them to provide new, innovative and customers-oriented services to passengers.
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Passengers’ rights need to be strengthened across all modes
The rights of rail passengers were bolstered from 3 December 2009 when the EU regulation 1371/2007 entered into force. The EU law establishes a framework of rights for rail passengers in order to make rail transport more attractive. The areas it covers include better information, compensation in the event of delay, and assistance for disabled and elderly persons. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) welcomes the European framework as a first step towards a progressive harmonisation of passenger rights all over Europe but emphasises that comparable passenger rights still wait to be introduced across all modes of transport.
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Automobile association says that urban mobility needs public transport
The Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) calls for more effective interconnections within transport systems to encourage travellers to take advantage of the range of individual mobility solutions. In congested cities especially, use of different transport modes lessens congestion. Fluid traffic reduces accidents and emissions, is good for road safety and improves the quality of life in the cities, FIA says.
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Moving Goods |
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Inspection of dangerous goods wagons in Italy must not impede single wagon transport
The decision of the Italian railway safety agency (ANSF) to introduce tougher inspections for transporting dangerous goods has been investigated by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) on 12 March. Rail safety measures must strictly be managed at the European level, CER Deputy Executive Director Libor Lochman emphasised when meeting with ANSF Director Chiovelli in Rome. They discussed in detail how the new Italian safety rules will work without hindering the single wagon transport of dangerous goods.
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New single wagon load alliance will improve European rail freight
European rail freight companies have established a new alliance in Zurich (Switzerland) on 18 February to strengthen their international single wagon load business. Founding members of the Xrail alliance are CD Cargo (Czech Republic), CFL Cargo (Luxemburg), DB Schenker Rail (Germany), Green Cargo (Sweden), Rail Cargo Austria (Austria), SBB Cargo (Switzerland), and SNCB Logistics (Belgium).
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Infrastructure |
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Public investments in rail infrastructure pay off in many ways
Each publically invested euro in rail infrastructure brings an added value of two euros for national economies, shows a new study carried out by the Institute for Advanced Studies (IHS) in Vienna/Austria. In addition, just over half of the investments would be returned to the state in the form of taxes and social contributions.
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CER events |
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Felipe González and Roland Heinisch receive European Railway Award
The European Railway Award 2010 was presented on 3 February to former Spanish Prime Minister Felipe González for political achievements and to former Deutsche Bahn Board Member Roland Heinisch for technical achievements. Since 2007, the European rail sector has honoured outstanding achievements in the development of competitive and environmentally sustainable rail transport. The European Railway Award 2010 attracted more than 450 guests from all over Europe, including high-level politicians and transport stakeholders.
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Mauro Moretti re-elected as CER Chairman
Mauro Moretti, Chief Executive of the Italian railways Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), was unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) on 4 February. Meeting in Brussels, the CER General Assembly also confirmed the newly composed CER Management Committee and welcomed the private freight and passenger operator OKD Doprava from the Czech Republic as the 74th member of CER.
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Announcement of upcoming events
CER High Level Freight Meeting, 10-11 May, Vienna
CER High Level Infrastructure Meeting, 2-3 June, Coventry
CER High Level Passenger Meeting, 16-17 June, Brussels
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