Another battle for Combined Transport Directive
The European Commission has withdrawn the amendment proposal of the Combined Transport Directive. This became clear from its work programme 2020. The withdrawal means a delay to the modernisation of the Directive, which has been...Read more
TEN-T and New Silk Road integration – top priority in 2020
Making TEN-T and New Silk Road work together, for nations and businesses large and small, could be the biggest challenge in the coming twelve months, said delegates from government and industry at the European Silk...Read more
CER: time-based road tolls hinder shift to rail
The modal shift to rail is impossible without fair competition. For that reason, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is calling the EU Member States to introduce the distance-based tolls on all...Read more
Why the TEN-T should be extended to Northern Sweden
The extension of the TEN-T to Northern Sweden will create a strategic EU gateway to the Arctic and consolidate the engagement of the EU as a key player in the development of the Arctic region....Read more
Quieter brakes, track upgrades and more port connections in Europe
The EU is investing over 117 million euros in 39 key transport projects that will help build missing connections across the continent, while focusing on sustainable transport modes. The projects will reduce the noise generated...Read more
Study shows direction for TEN-T modification
European interest group FERRMED is carrying out a study that could provide a fundamental tool in the modification of the TEN-T Regulation. This set of rules determining the corridor network of the EU is to...Read more
UNIFE calls for level playing field Europe-China
Railway interest group UNIFE has called for a level-playing field and fair conditions between the European and the Chinese rail supply industry. This was after the Chinese state-owned train manufacturer CRRC recently purchased the locomotive...Read moreEU approves €70 million aid to lower Dutch track access charges
The European Commission has approved a support scheme amounting to 70 million Euros in order to significantly reduce the track access charges for rail freight in the Netherlands. The scheme, which will run from 2019...Read more
EU wants Spain and Portugal to push infrastructure investments
The Portuguese and Spanish governments should increase their budgets for rail and port infrastructure. This is the recommendation of the European Commission. The institute considers the Portuguese ports as potential European import hubs due to...Read more
European railways comply with ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’ principles
European railways comply with the principles of ‘user pays’ and ‘polluter pays’, better than any other motorised transport mode. This is a key insight from the European Commission’s new study on transport cost internalisation. It...Read more
European Commission adopts ‘no-deal’ Brexit contingency plan for rail
The European Commission has adopted a proposal to help mitigate the significant impact a no-deal Brexit scenario on rail transport and connectivity between the EU and the UK on Tuesday 11 February. The proposal ensures...Read more
EU: 2 billion for rail in Ukraine, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Moldova
Around 2 billion Euros will be spent by the EU to enhance the railway network in Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. It is part of the plans to extend the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T)...Read more
‘Railway transport Europe-China could be simplified’
The Chinese government has called for increased optimalisation of existing cooperation mechanisms when it comes to transport between Europe and China. International railway transport procedures should be simplified, transit costs lowered and goods should be...Read more
European Parliament asks for larger budget transport infrastructure
The European Parliament has called for a significantly larger budget for transport infrastructure through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) programme. This is a European financing tool for railway projects such as the TEN-T corridors and the...Read more
EU disapproves of broad gauge extension Bratislava-Vienna
The European Commission objects to the plan that will see an extension of the broad gauge railway line from Slovakia to Austria. Meanwhile, the project is about to enter the next phase, moving closer towards...Read more
Dutch rail freight sector wants more support New Silk Road trade
Dutch rail freight parties involved with rail transport between Europe and China ask the government to be more supportive of rail freight between the Netherlands and China. At the moment, several railway companies are active...Read more