Brussels, 06/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Commission on 5 July approved a Belgian government aid scheme to the tune of 30 million euros (15 million in 2005) in favour of combined transport on the railways. This aid, which will be contributed over three years, is deigned to maintain the traffic of 300 000 Intermodal Transport Units (ITU) on the railways in order to avoid their transfer to the roads, and to increase this traffic by 20% over the period. The subsidy will be granted to combined freight transport operators using the railways over a distance of 51 km or above. The level of aid is calculated to compensate the difference between the external costs borne by the railways and the roads, particularly when it comes to journeys over short distances. The external costs, linked to the emission of toxic and greenhouse gases or to safety issues are estimated at 25 euros per 1000t/km for the roads, and 15 euros per 1000t/km for the railways. To benefit from the aid, operators will have to make known their traffic forecasts, on the basis of ongoing contracts and prospects for the following year, and should pass it on to their clients. Finally, any subsidy not justified within the year will have to be repaid by the operator.