The European Commissioner for Transport, Adina Vălean, presented the proposals of the ‘Winter’ package to the members of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee on Monday 24 January, a package which aims to support a transition towards cleaner and more sustainable transport (see EUROPE 12853/4).
“Our transport system needs to be updated with the strengthening of long-distance and cross-border rail, the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), smart transport systems and the development of simpler and more accessible urban mobility”, said Vălean.
On the subject of rail, the Commissioner for Transport began by stressing the need to make this mode of transport more attractive in order to encourage modal shift. This will include new regulatory speed standards, with passenger trains travelling at 160 km/h and freight trains travelling at 100 km/h.
The commission also intends to work on interoperability, notably by updating national rules and signs that are considered “outdated”.
“Some rules are redundant. But the sector is also facing soaring prices, with some operators reverting to diesel locomotives. Based on several major indicators, rail is outperformed by road transport. Modal shift will never happen without a framework that allows for transparent competition”, warned Barbara Thaler (EPP, Austria).
TEN-T and urban mobility
In terms of the TEN-T, the commission also highlighted its objectives, which include detailed mapping of the network, its extension and the completion of the parts defined as crucial by 2040, before its full completion in 2050.
On the question of whether, as with the railways, the proposals have been welcomed, several voices were heard highlighting the challenges that will have to be faced.
“These are good measures, but the initiative, the initial funding key or the ability to order the work still rests with the Member States. However, these latter give priority to their infrastructure for national use. How can we force the hand of the States - a little - in a system where they determine the global organisation that we co-finance?”, asked Dominique Riquet (Renew Europe, France).
Finally, in addition to smart transport systems, for which the Commission would like to improve data sharing, make data more accessible for road safety or set up safer parking infrastructures, the discussions also focused in part on urban mobility.
A new strategy will be put in place in 420 cities across the EU to put public transport at the heart of the process and to make transport methods more modern, resilient and sustainable.
“I am concerned that certain sections of the population, the most vulnerable, are being left behind in the context of urban mobility”, said Riquet.
Ciarán Cuffe MEP (Greens/EFA, Ireland) said work should also focus on speed in urban mobility. “30 km/h zones improve air quality, save lives. Why are there no recommendations on this subject? The place of cycling should also be included in the text. There is still a lot to be done to tackle climate change”, he concluded.
These various European Commission measures will require an investment of €247 billion by 2050 and should ultimately lead to the creation of 840,000 new jobs, said Vălean. (Original version in French by Thomas Mangin)