Vote on rules for trans-European transport networks – New rules as a great opportunity for rail – Austria benefits disproportionately
Brussels (OTS) – “The new rules are a step forward towards a more efficient EU transport system. At the moment only road transport and aviation are truly European, so rail has had a difficult time being competitive,” explains Barbara Thaler, the European Parliament’s chief negotiator for the regulation on trans-European transport networks ( TEN-T). Today the European Parliament’s Transport Committee confirmed the agreement between the European Parliament and member states on the law.
“With this law, all important rail standards will be harmonized and provided with corresponding implementation deadlines. After implementation, rail could keep up with trucks,” emphasizes Thaler and notes: “To do this, however, the rules must be implemented 1:1 and the Member states must build or upgrade the relevant infrastructure in a timely manner. The Commission and also the EU Parliament are now required to actively monitor implementation and constantly issue warnings. In addition, it is up to the Commission to live up to its role as guardian of the treaties and for the To provide the necessary pressure, member states should fail to implement it.”
“With the current result, we are promoting the switch from road to rail to some extent, but not as uncompromisingly as we should and as Parliament and the Commission wanted,” says Barbara Thaler, deputy transport spokeswoman for the European People’s Party summarizes: “In over 50 official and unofficial rounds of negotiations, all avenues were explored – nothing more was possible.”
“However, what should be noted positively and is a gain for Parliament in the negotiations are the new powers of the EU Commission in cross-border projects. From now on, coordination on cross-border sections, such as between Innsbruck and Munich, can be ‘legalised’ by the EU Commission. “that will ensure acceleration and more planning,” adds Thaler.
Thaler is pleased that it is particularly positive for Austria that a new corridor starts in Linz and Salzburg and leads via Carinthia and Styria to Athens and explains: “It was also possible to bring the freight terminals in Villach-Fürnitz and Salzburg into the European one core network. Four of the nine corridors now run through Austria and the new corridor is even starting here, which is a great success that I am personally very pleased about.”
A graphic overview of the trans-European transport networks can be found here on pages 137-140:
https://www.europarl.europa.eu/meetdocs/2014_2019/plmrep/COMMITTEES/TRAN/DV/2024/02-14/AnnexesI-VIIcombined_TEN-T_provisionalagreement_EN.pdf
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Questions & Contact:
Barbara Thaler MEP, Tel.: +32-2-28-45218,
barbara.thaler@ep.europa.eu
Helena Ringer, EPP Press Service, Tel.: +32-2-28-31184,
helena.calls@ep.europa.eu
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