Zero-carbon door-to-door transport is already possible today. The secret lies in combined transport, using rail and, only for short distances, trucking. What is needed? CO2-free power generation, full electrification of rail transport, electrical terminal handling...Read more
The ongoing TEN-T regulation amendment seems to be on the right track to support the growth of intermodal and combined transport. “The infrastructure parameters for longer trains, the provision of sufficient track capacity for them...Read more
A new initiative is underway to incentivise shippers and freight forwarders to use more rail. Shift2030, an enterprise promoting the modal shift, launched the Time2Shift action, providing what possible rail customers need more: practical information.Read more
After five years of negotiations, the new EU rules on road tolls are a fact. The European Parliament adopted the Eurovignette Directive on Thursday 17 February. However, the new rules mean little good news for...Read more
On the same day the TEN-T regulation was revised, the European Commission published the Action Plan to Boost Long-Distance and Cross-Border Passenger Rail. Such a plan is also needed for rail freight, says the UIRR....Read more
The intermodal sector should be bold, and make a case for the sector in Brussels and at home, said Barbara Thaler, Tyrolean Member of the European Parliament and TRAN Committee member at the start of...Read more
With the climate goals of the EU, combined transport is in the spotlight. It is the low-hanging fruit, the International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR) has repeatedly said, the solution to accomplish carbon-neutral transport....Read more
FERRMED published a study on traffic and modal shift optimisation in the EU. The study presents very interesting proposals on how rail freight can meet the 30 per cent by 2030 modal share. Among them...Read more
The European combined transport sector maintained its upward trajectory this year. During Q3 2021, combined transport scored a 6,18 per cent growth rate despite the generally unfavourable conditions. In contrast, it seems that these conditions...Read more
There should be a specific TSI on combined transport. This regulation should cover infrastructure, operation, traffic management and rolling stock subsystem aspects relevant for the interoperability of Intermodal Loading Units. That is the main conclusion...Read more
Efforts to revise the Combined Transport Directive have continued. The European Commission has revealed a new plan to change the legislative text. Among others, the scope of the Directive would be extended to cover all...Read more
A provisional agreement has been reached on the amendment of the Eurovignette Directive. This means that one more step has been taken towards a more equal playing field for rail and road transport. In practice,...Read more
Much of the European rail network is currently free of charge. This is thanks to the regulation that allows for a waiver, or reduction of track access charges during the pandemic. However, this possibility is...Read more
Denmark is limiting operational options for foreign freight companies active in combined transport. Starting from 21 February 2022, the country will not allow more than three weekly road transport operations to combined transport undertakings. The...Read more
European policy makers should find a way of charging for infrastructure that incentivises the greenest possible choice of modality. This requires a multimodal approach, rather than an isolated policy for a single transport sector, say...Read more
Railway associations want to prolong the regulation allowing to waive, reduce or defer track access charges in the face of Covid-19. The regulation would last until the end of June, but they asked for it...Read more
The combined transport sector scored a positive performance in Q1 of 2021. Compared to the same period last year, traffic increased by 3,17 per cent. The results came under unprecedented conditions, involving Covid-19 restrictions and...Read more
The Commission’s guidelines concerning the European Green Deal’s implementation are comprehensive and necessary. However, the Combined Transport (CT) sector needs to focus on some specific aspects to contribute the maximum in the collective goal. As...Read more