2019 was a crucial year for EU climate policy, with Member States agreeing to EU climate neutrality by 2050 and for the European Commission and the whole Union to embark on a European Green Deal, to set transport on a path to full decarbonisation by then.
Key measures to decarbonise transport, like a shift to rail, were already put forward in the 2011 EU Transport White Paper.
The Green Deal must strengthen them with effective tools to implement ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’ principles and proper funding for clean mobility. These can be game-changers for achieving sustainable mobility in Europe.
THE
VISION
THAT CER HAS
FOR THE FUTURE OF
EUROPEAN MOBILITY IS ONE
WHERE RAILWAYS
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are a competitive and viable first-choice transport mode in terms of price and service quality for both passengers and freight customers;
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are central to the delivery of Europe’s goals of cutting greenhouse gas emissions, reducing air pollution, achieving energy security, and relieving congestion;
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are the backbone of a seamless and integrated transport system in close cooperation with the other transport modes, in particular by linking major urban centres with high speed connections and connecting peripheral urban areas with city centres;
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are an enabling factor for the competitiveness of the European economy, supporting economic growth and job creation;
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contribute to an inclusive EU society by paying special attention to the needs of vulnerable segments of the population such as the elderly and citizens with reduced mobility;
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are an attractive, diverse and socially responsible employer, offering a wide range of professions, stimulating job creation at the local level, nationally and Europe-wide, and attracting talents;
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embrace digitalisation and exploit the opportunities linked to it for both infrastructure management and train operations.
THE
ENABLERS
OF OUR VISION
THE RIGHT POLICIES
ENSURING A STABLE REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT FOR THE RAILWAY SECTOR
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The sector-specific EU legislation for market governance has reached a sufficiently high degree of detail. The existing acquis communautaire for rail should now be fully transposed into national law, implemented in practice and controlled by the regulatory bodies before an assessment of its effectiveness can be performed. For the time being, there is no need for a 5 th Railway Package.
GUARANTEEING FAIR INTERMODAL COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS
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Rail needs to operate in an environment of fair rules between different transport modes.
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A European Master Plan for Rail Freight should be developed.
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The internalisation of external costs should contribute to rebalancing the intermodal framework conditions.
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The need for fair framework conditions also applies to rail passenger rights and the issue of VAT for cross-border rail passenger services.
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Remaining operational issues that hamper cross-border rail transport such as language requirements for train drivers need to be solved.
PROMOTING DIGITALISATION AND INNOVATION
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ERTMS should be at the center of the technical EU strategy. Developing the framework for Automatic Train Operation, improved connectivity and further digital developments relevant for rail should be at the top of the agenda. EU support is needed for the continuation of the Joint Undertaking Shift2Rail.
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The implementation of the technical pillar of the 4th Railway Package and a close cooperation with the European Union Agency for Railways are of key importance for the sector.
ENSURING ADEQUATE FUNDING
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The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) proved to be a successful instrument in the current period 2014-2020. It needs to be continued and increased. CEF should put a focus on software issues such as ERTMS, including onboard equipment.
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The Commission should set a funding priority for digital projects as well as measures to increase efficiency and to decrease the cost of cross-border rail services.
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Financing schemes to attract private capital should be explored where appropriate.
PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY
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EU CO2 reductions, set in the 2011 Transport White Paper, will not be achieved without a substantial contribution from the transport sector. Rail is a key factor in this regard. Decarbonisation of transport should be at the top of the agenda in the new policy period, putting rail at the heart of the EU decarbonisation strategy.
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Transport noise reduction should also be addressed, with each mode of transport contributing to reaching this goal. Measures to improve the energy efficiency of rail are to be promoted too.
THE SECTOR'S COMMITMENTS
FURTHER DIGITALISATION
Railways commit to
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Investing in ERTMS enhanced functionalities to increase capacity and reliability of all services, and implementing advance sensor systems to shift from preventive to predictive maintenance of both infrastructure and rolling stock;
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implementing e-ticketing for their passenger services;
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encouraging the implementation of the Full Service Model (FSM) specifications for an open IT framework for the distribution of rail tickets;
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fostering the acceptance of electronic exchange of information for freight;
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improving information flows for freight customers with ETA information and effective tracking solutions.
A MORE PERSONALISED SERVICE
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Railways will be ever more customer-oriented and capable of addressing specific expectations of customers thanks to a wider use of technology, with predictive technology-based applications for passengers and freight services.
SUSTAINABILITY AS A DRIVER FOR MODAL CHOICE
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Rail is the most sustainable mode of motorised transport and is fundamental in the path towards a more sustainable European mobility system and economy. Yet rail undertakings commit to reduce their CO2 footprint even further: by 2030 railways want their total CO2 emissions from railway operations to be 30% less than what it was in 1990 (and this notwithstanding the expected modal shift goals of the 2011 Transport White Paper).
SUSTAINABLE FINANCING MODELS FOR RAILWAYS
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Notwithstanding the undisputed necessity for public funding for the maintenance and further expansion of railway infrastructure, railways will reflect deeper upon what role private money can play in rail financing, and to what extent portions of the railway system can more easily attract private investors and what kind of private investors could be the best partners for the sector.
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Railways will in particular reflect upon how the concept of green financing can apply to rail investment projects both for infrastructure and rolling stock.
EMBRACING NEW MARKET OPPORTUNITIES
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Railways aim to strengthen Eurasian transport operations as well as to implement further high-frequency connections between Europe and Asia.
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Railways will explore ways to increase their share in the tourism market: better rail services, more digitalised ticketing systems and innovative market solutions will have to target this market segment with great determination.
