Brussels, 03/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - In a report published on 30 August 2012, the European Commission does not mince its criticisms of delays in introducing interoperable European toll-road systems, which it describes as disappointing. It is critical of member states and toll road operators alike, laying down the stages to be followed to speed up introduction of a pan-European system. It recommends interoperability of electronic systems on a regional basis as a stage towards full pan-European interoperability. Projects of this nature may be included in calls for tender for the trans-European transport network system later this year.
Delays in introducing a European toll-road payment system. The Commission is unhappy that a European payment system does not yet exist for toll-roads because more than 20 million drivers already use electronic payments (which cover 60% of toll-motorways in Europe), but cannot use the same payment systems abroad. The Commission encourages the use of user-payer and polluter-payer systems and therefore sees toll-roads as the fairest and most effect way of taxing mobility, but its aims are hindered by the delays in introducing a pan-European payment system. This is particularly regrettable in that a third of road freight is cross-border in Europe. Lorries often have to have a whole range of different types of equipment to cover all the different toll-payment systems, although technology already exists to pay for all toll-roads with just one piece of equipment.
Encouraging the member states and operators. Regretting the lack of commitment by Member States, suppliers and toll-road operators to achieving the Commission's aims as set out in EU Directive 2004/52/EC and 2009/750/EC, the Commission is planning to take the bull by the horns to force through interoperable toll-road payments and is threatening to launch infringement proceedings and introduce new legislation if substantial progress is not made over the next twelve months. A public consultation exercise has been launched in this connection, which will run until November 2012.
Region by region. The Commission is recommending a step-by-step approach to introducing a pan-European system, urging the Member States with high toll-road usage to work together on regional interoperability, which can be extended across Europe at a later date. The Commission likes the idea of such regional toll-payment systems getting EU funding from TEN-T (the Trans-European Transport Network) and suggests that an initial call for tender to this effect might be launched later this year. (MD/transl.fl)