The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure (CER) criticised on Tuesday 26 November the agreement about to be approved by the EU Member States' transport ministers on the revision of the directive on road infrastructure charges (1999/62), known as the “Eurovignettes” directive (see EUROPE 12373/12).
“There is no sustainable transport without fair competitive conditions for green modes, like rail. CER is therefore urging Member States to revisit their stance on the Eurovignette”, said Libor Lochman, Executive Director of the CER.
In particular, the organisation regrets that Member States have taken a position in favour of maintaining the time-based charging system ('vignette' type) for heavy goods vehicles, while the European Commission, supported by the European Parliament (see EUROPE 12125/2), proposed replacing it with a distance-based toll system, in accordance with the 'user-pays' principle.
While EU law requires railways to pay distance-based charges for infrastructure use throughout the European Union, such charging (such as 'tolls') currently applies to only 25% of main roads, the CER criticised in its statement.
“ At their meeting on 2 December, Transport Ministers should pave the way for tolling and external-cost charging on all major roads in Europe ”, said Mr Lochman.
Unless the situation changes, Member States' Transport Ministers are expected to reach political agreement ('general approach') on this dossier at the ‘Transport’ Council of the EU on 2 December.
See the press release: https://bit.ly/2OtK7lU (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)