Brussels, 16/03/2015 (Agence Europe) - A draft text, a copy of which has been obtained by EUROPE, indicates that the European Commission is looking to focus its road package on five major priorities: road pricing; social aspects, market access, the international dimension and setting up a European road agency.
Road pricing. The draft proposes phasing out the Eurovignette since “vignette prices are only remotely proportionate to the use of the road and to the environmental costs”. In its place will come distance-dependent charges, monitored electronically. In addition, the exemption enjoyed by lorries of less than twelve tonnes will be removed. A point on negative externalities (pollution and noise) will be added, along with transparency requirements with regard to toll rates. The Commission also wants all money raised through tolls to be ring-fenced for improving the road infrastructure. Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Sweden, Finland and the Czech Republic are thought to oppose this proposal but Italy, Greece, Romania, Spain, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, Estonia, Slovenia, Portugal, Slovakia and Malta to back it.
Social aspects. Here the Commission is more evasive. It is looking firstly to have approval from the European Parliament for a new list of serious offences - the previous one having been rejected in December 2014 since cabotage did not feature on it (see EUROPE 11220). A communication will also be prepared, jointly with DG EMPL, to make clear how the posted workers directive applies to international transport operations. The Commission then speaks of “legislative or non-legislative initiative to improve the social legislation” and moving towards greater standardisation. Lastly DG MOVE is keen to draft an online inventory of existing rules in order to “provide simplified explanation to mobile workers on their rights and obligations”.
Market access. DG MOVE would welcome gradual liberalisation of freight and the transport of passengers by coach. With regard to cabotage, it wants to get rid of current restrictions (limiting cabotage to three operations abroad within any seven-day period). On coach travel, it proposes to address first of all the “last mile from the airport or railway station to the final destination”. It is more circumspect with regard to taxis, restricting itself to saying that “the Commission could also investigate whether an EU initiative in this field would be appropriate”.
International dimension. The Commission is in favour of bilateral agreements with Turkey and Ukraine but fears it “may face opposition from a number of member states”. Consequently, the priority will be to persuade them and a proposal will only be drafted if success looks likely in Council.
European road agency. The document proposes the creation of a European road agency whose role it would be to “to provide direct assistance both to the Commission and to the member states in terms of technical assistance, enforcement coordination, and inspections and controls”.
The document concludes with a three-stage indicative timetable. The first stage, the end of 2015, relates to the proposal on serious offences and the communication on the minimum wage. Thereafter, at the start of 2016, would follow a general communication on the package, the review of the texts on the Eurovignette and driver training, along with a proposal for a directive on infrastructure safety. Thirdly and lastly, the measures on opening up the market, the draft regulation setting up a European agency and the remainder of the social measures would be presented in late 2016. (Jean Comte)