A level playing field for road and rail transport can only be achieved when charging for access to road or rail happens on an equal basis. However, as many have argued, we are still far from this equality. In the online event ‘Charging for Access to State-owned Transport Infrastructure’, the discussion will be held from a general transport perspective, bringing together all stakeholders involved.

The online event is a cooperation of RailFreight.com and the UIRR (International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport). It is taking place on Friday 21 May 2021, starting at 9.30 and lasting until 1pm CEST. Registration is free and already open.

Road tolling vs. track access charges

The aim is to consider the issue of road tolling for heavy goods vehicles and track access charging for freight trains from four angles: the state-of-the-art European track access charging principles, the status of the European road tolling reform, the way of charging vs the impact on forms of transport and the impact on state budgets.

The following topics will be discussed during the online event:

• Main conclusions from the 2020 Track Access Charges Summit
• The Eurovignette/Eurocharging Directive trialogue negotiations: how will access charges cover costs
• Facilitating modal shift through infrastructure charging
• Replacing fuel tax revenues in state budgets: can infrastructure access charges play a role?

Networking and debate

In addition to several several speakers, such as Alberto Mazzola (CEO of the CER) and Dominik Hübler (Associate Director, NERA Economic Consulting), there will a chance to engage in a lively debate about the topics presented.Moreover, the morning will conclude with a networking session. All participants will be able to meet in an online networking environment, in order not to miss out on the social benefits of attending a conference.

More information about  the Charging for Access to State-owned Transport Infrastructure online event can be found on the website.