In April, the transport challenges provoked by the volcanic ash cloud have on the one hand triggered discussion amongst European politicians on the need to ensure the development of a competitive and high-standard long distance rail passenger service. On the other hand, the railways reacted swiftly to help passengers who were stranded in airports to reach their homes.

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Rail sector applauds the European Parliament’s opinion on the future of European transport

The European rail sector strongly supports the opinion issued by the European Parliament on 6 July to decarbonise transport through all available means and the doubling of rail passenger transport by 2020.
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European Commission takes legal steps to speed up the implementation process of the first railway package

CER takes note of the European Commission's infringement procedures and is looking forward to the full implementation of the first railway package and the end of discussions and diverging interpretations on how it should be implemented.
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Rail sector welcomes strategy on reducing transport emissions

The European rail sector has welcomed the publication of the final report of the study carried out for the European Commission’s Directorate General Climate Action on decarbonising the transport sector by 2050.
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Improvements to railways have to be part of the prevention plan for future air traffic disruption, MEPs say

CER has welcomed the acknowledgement by many MEPs of the role that rail can play in offering an alternative to aviation, but has repeated the need for support to be able to enhance their role. The MEPs' comments came as the European transport sector continued to adapt to ongoing disruption caused by the volcanic ash cloud from Iceland.
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European Parliament agrees to unclear compromise on freight corridors

The European Parliament vote on 15 June will create an unclear relationship between the one-stop shops and the national infrastructure managers leaving open whether cross-border rail freight services on international corridors will be facilitated or will be made more difficult.
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Rail CEOs ask European Commissioner to ease authorisation of international rolling stock

CEOs from European railway companies and the rail supply industry have jointly asked the European Commission to strengthen European authority to speed up the authorisation of cross-border rolling stock.
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High-speed railway networks: an overview of recent developments

2009 was a particularly fruitful year for the high-speed rail network in Europe. Despite the persistent economic crisis, that brought about a general decrease of public and private funding, countries such as Spain, Italy and Belgium achieved significant results by inaugurating important new high-speed railway lines.
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Top rail chiefs call for a new approach to severe winter

The chief executives of Europe’s rail infrastructure companies gathered on 3 June at Network Rail’s Westwood training centre near Coventry, UK, to exchange best practice and to debate a number of pressing issues facing the railways.
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“More consistency needed” to achieve transport climate targets

“Inconsistencies between pricing and policy objectives at European level are a major obstacle to achieving major cuts in CO emissions in transport”, CER Executive Director Johannes Ludewig said in a special meeting on future climate and energy policy in Madrid on 12 and 13 April.
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Swiss Transport Minister Moritz Leuenberger announced his resignation for October

Swiss Federal Councillor Moritz Leuenberger has announced he is stepping down from the government in October.
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Evaluation of EU cohesion policy shows that rail has been less financed than road

The Commission has presented a synthesis report on 19 April, which wraps up the main findings of an evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
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High track access charges may discourage passenger services, fear passenger organisations

When meeting with CER in the Customer Liaison Group on 30 April, the European Passengers’ Federation (EPF) pointed out the link between the level of track access charges (TAC), which railways have to pay for the use of the infrastructure, and the services passengers may get from the same railways.
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CER freight companies want 750 meter long trains on European tracks

The harmonisation of train lengths to 750 meters is required as soon as possible in Europe; this is the first step towards longer and heavier trains which CER freight companies unanimously agreed during the meeting of CER Freight Focus Group on 25 May, in Paris.
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Swiss remain top rail users

The Swiss come out as the nation that uses its railway system to the fullest, according to official data released in July.
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Stable and reliable financing for railways “essential for efficient European transport system” say CEOs

Establishing a sound financial structure for railways is a prerequisite for a strong railway system. This was the conclusion of a debate organised on 2 June by CER in the European Parliament.
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“Act safely at level crossings!” - International Level Crossing Awareness Day (ILCAD) on 22 June 2010

Despite all the measures taken to indicate the presence of level crossings and make them safe, too many road users and pedestrians are killed or injured at such crossings each year right around the world.
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 30/09/10 - Symposium: Less freight train noise on railroad tracks
organised by German region Rheinland Pfalz, Brussels
 
12/10/10 - Decarbonising European transport: the role of rail, Brussels
 
13/10/10 - Symposium: Devising smart regulation in the EU, Brussels
 
14/10/10 - High Level CCS & OPE Meeting


For more information please refer to www.cer.be/events/upcoming-events