Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedRecital 7: (7) While the share of passenger rail in the Union land transport has only slightly increased since 2007, the share of freight has decreased. Many obstacles remain to achieve a true Single European Rail Area, including in respect of the need to open up to competition, to foster innovation, interoperability and digitalisation, to complete the TEN-T and the freight corridors, to accelerate the implementation of European wide modern train management systems (ERTMS) both for on-board and for track-side equipment, to internalise the external costs, to minimise noise and to promote better integration between logistic systems and the quality of life of citizens. Rail is often hamstrung by outdated business and operational practices and by the presence of too much ageing infrastructure and rolling stock. Overcoming these obstacles together with cost reduction and accelerated innovation will allow rail to realise its full potential, while ensuring the functioning of the internal market, increasing traffic and maintaining or improving the already high safety levels. The rail sector therefore needs a further boost in order for it to become more attractive to travellers, employees and businesses alike. For this to happen, it needs to have suitable infrastructure and to benefit from strong EU funding instruments. The role of ERA in lowering technical barriers within the single European railway area should be highlighted.

RemovedRecital 8: (8) In order to promote rail transport in line with the objectives set out in the Commission Communication on the European Green Deal, including with regard to sustainable and smart mobility, the year 2021 should be designated as European Year of Rail. 2021 will be an important year for the Union rail policy, it will be the first full year where the rules agreed under the Fourth Railway Package will be implemented throughout the Union, namely on the opening of the market of domestic passenger services and on reducing costs and administrative burden for railway undertakings operating across the Union. Particular importance also needs to be placed on the correct enforcement of the 4th railway package and the new ERA role. The European Year of Rail should mark the starting point for a more general strategy on the railways, aimed at achieving the single European railway area. There is a growing public interest in railways, including in night trains, in a number of Member States, as also illustrated by the popularity of #DiscoverEU. Rail should be integral in delivering seamless "door to door" travel solutions in combination with other modes, including active travel. Moreover, the international arts festival ‘Europalia’ will dedicate its 2021 edition to the influence of railways on the arts and highlight the role of rail as a powerful promotor of social, economic, industrial and ecological change.

RemovedRecital 8 a (new): (8 a) The overwhelming majority of freight transport starts or ends in towns and suburbs. 70 % of the population lives there and 85 % of the EU's GDP is created in these areas. Similarly, commuters account for 80 to 90 % of all passengers. This means that urban agglomerations are significant contributors to the overall performance of passenger rail transport. Therefore, under-used suburban and regional lines need to be modernised and renovated to encourage smart urban mobility with low ecological impact and better social and economic cohesion. Substantial funds and increased co-financing rates are needed for investment in rail infrastructure and are crucial for the modal competitiveness of rail. Investment in rail infrastructure is key to the modal competitiveness of rail. While 80 % of funding under the Connecting Europe Facility is channelled towards rail, the Member States also have a responsibility to pursue ambitious investment policies to promote the modal shift. These investments should be based on a “rail connectivity index” in order to maximise the efficiency of the Single European Rail Area. The role of motivated staff cannot be underestimated, and guarantees the smoothness of operations. The rail sector, however, has problems attracting new employees. In order to reach its full potential, it needs to diversify its workforce and in particular attract women and young workers. This perspective should be promoted at all institutional levels.

RemovedRecital 8 b (new): (8b) Enhancing the attractiveness of rail requires the services to be user-centred and organised and engineered to deliver good value, with consistent dependability and excellent service quality. Those services should be priced competitively, reflecting resource-efficiency.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) promote rail as the backbone of sustainable, innovative, intermodal, safe and affordable transport and as an efficient logistic network, capable of guaranteeing essential services, even during unexpected crises;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new): (a a) promote the role of rail in reaching the Union’s climate neutrality objective as soon as possible and by 2050, including by reaching out to the wider public, especially to people with disabilities and reduced mobility, as well as to youth;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – points a b (new) and a c (new): (a b) strengthen rail, including by improving the cross-border cooperation among infrastructure managers to facilitate better rail connectivity across borders, including cross-border charter trains; (a c ) develop and communicate a modal shift in tourism policy as a network that can connect rural areas and can boost, and create public awareness of, a European sustainable tourism;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) highlight the European, cross-border dimension of rail that brings citizens closer together, allows them to explore the Union in all its diversity, fosters socio-economic and territorial cohesion and contributes to integrate the Union internal market, whilst promoting the completion of the TEN-T, ending bottlenecks mainly in cross-border areas, and thus make transport more interoperable by offering people and goods comprehensive solutions; and therefore highlights the need to turn the Union patchwork of national rail networks into a truly European network, especially by supporting regional cross-border rail connectivity EU wide;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point c: (c) enhance the contribution of rail to Union economy, industry, commerce and society, covering in particular aspects related to regional and local development, sustainable tourism, attractive careers, education, youth and culture and improving accessibility for elderly people and for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new): (c a) strongly support rail research and innovation, in particular via Shift2Rail and its successors, particularly with a view to increase capacity in the European rail network, achieving higher rail service quality and decarbonisation;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new): (c b) emphasise the Union's position as a global industrial competitiveness cluster with innovative and exporting flagships;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point c c (new): (c c) facilitate data sharing with new entrants and third-party suppliers.

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new): (d a) strengthen rail transport in agglomerations and suburbs, to promote space-saving, climate- and people-friendly, door-to-door transportation, including through an easily understandable and consistently enforced system of passenger rights to improve the quality of services and to encourage social and economic inclusion;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new): (d b) mobilise the role that rail plays in the shared European collective imagination, particularly the cultural and historical aspects, recalling the role of rail in building European prosperity and in the industrial revolutions in cutting-edge technologies in the 21st century; and highlight that trains, railways stations and rail infrastructure, as part of Europe's cultural heritage, deserve to be promoted and celebrated in cooperation with museums or other cultural sites and events;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new): (d c) promote the existing Union night train network and encourage initiatives in which cross-border night trains are used to promote the Union’s visual identity;

RemovedArticle 2 – paragraph 1 – point d d (new): (d d) promote the attractiveness of the railway profession, including by encouraging fair conditions of service and protection of employees against abuse.

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a: (a) initiatives and events to promote debate, build a positive image, raise awareness and facilitate citizens, businesses, and public authorities' engagement to re-establish trust in rail to attract more people and goods to rail as a means to combat climate change, through multiple channels and tools, including events in Member States at national, regional and local level, whilst also highlighting the safety and comfort of travelling by rail as inter-modal nature;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new): (a a) initiatives that emphasise that rail plays an integral part in ‘door-to-door’ transport, emphasising the need for intermodal integration and for inter-connectivity with other modes, including geographically peripheral regions and islands;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new): (a b) initiatives in Members States to encourage in both the public and private sector business-travel and commuting patterns by rail;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new): (a c) initiatives to support technological innovation in order to develop through-ticketing and digital multi-modal tickets;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a d (new): (a d) initiatives to promote investment in terminals and rolling stock as an optimised modal shift option that will contribute to the decarbonisation of freight transport and the development of smart and sustainable mobility;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a e (new): (a e) initiatives to signal the universal dimension of rail in terms of service, guaranteeing both territorial accessibility and other aspects of accessibility (waiting time, density of access points, accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility and elderly etc);

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point a f (new): (a f) the Commission shall explore the possibility to create a rail connectivity index aimed at categorising the consistency, quality and diversity of the offer as well as accessibility and intermodal options measuring the integration of the network. The aim of this index shall be to identify the areas where investment in the rail sector is particularly necessary.

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) information, exhibitions, inspiration, education and awareness-raising campaigns as well as demonstration and information trains to encourage changes in passenger, consumer and business behaviour and to stimulate an active contribution of the general public to achieving the objectives of more sustainable transport;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new): (e a) collection of experiences and best practices to create a level-playing field between transport modes and ultimately to decrease the cost to society,

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new): (e b) support for regional infrastructure expansion in particular by promoting on freight transport away from the main corridors;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new): (e c) initiatives to identify possibilities for network optimisation and for improved digitalisation, especially for the provision of real-time information about fares and timetables, so that rail passengers can make comparisons and access information about independent third-party providers;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e d (new): (e d) activities to better disseminate information on the enforcement of passengers’ rights, including initiatives to improve the information available to passengers, enforcing Regulation (EC) No 80/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 January 2009 so as to provide comparative data on all transport modes;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e e (new): (e e) initiatives to promote a modal shift in tourism with joint support of the rail sector, the European cultural industry and national and European representatives of the tourism industry, as a network that can connect all areas national, regional and rural, that can boost and create public awareness for a European sustainable tourism.

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e f (new): (e f) implementation of the activities, partnerships and events set out in the annex of events and partnerships;

RemovedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point e g (new): (e g) initiatives to ensure that EU funds allocated to the recovery efforts in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are used to massively expand and improve the European rail infrastructure and that Members State fully deploy the European Train Management system (ERTMS) in respect of both on-board rolling stock and infrastructure, intensify noise protection and strengthen feeder lines in order to improve door-to-door mobility.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1: The organisation of participation in the European Year at national level is a responsibility of the Member States. To that end, Member States shall appoint a national coordinator and provide adequate financial and human resources for her or his tasks The national coordinators shall ensure the coordination of relevant activities at national level and provide a link to coordination at Union level. National coordinators shall be chosen on the basis of their proven commitment to the development of rail in Europe.

RemovedArticle 4 – paragraph 1 a (new): Member States, taking into account their political structure and the distribution of powers, shall appoint the relevant coordinators.

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1: The Commission shall convene regular meetings of all stakeholders and representatives of organisations or bodies active in the field of rail transport, including existing transnational networks, relevant NGOs, universities and technology centres, as well as representatives of youth organisations, organisations representing people with disabilities and reduced mobility and communities, to assist it in implementing the European Year at Union level. The Commission shall use the same meetings to promote a pan-European debate about rail policy, obstacles, decarbonisation potential and socially and environmentally sustainable mobility policy with a view to basing future legislative ideas on this input.

RemovedArticle 6 a (new): Article 6a / Budget / The financial envelope for the implementation of this Decision for the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022 shall be EUR 16 million. The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the European Parliament and the Council within the limits of the multiannual financial framework.

RemovedAnnex: Annex / Events and partnerships / Partnerships shall support a range of activities to give effect to the European Year of Rail through events intended for citizens. This Annex sets out a non-exhaustive list of events to be carried out during the European Year of Rail, supported by various partnerships according to their scope. / The following partnerships, events or activities shall be organised during the European Year, as circumstances permit: / - Partnerships with film festivals throughout Europe to highlight the prominent place of rail in cinema production; cooperation with European rail museums and existing cultural events such as film festivals and art exhibitions / - Partnership with the European Union Agency for Railways to emphasise: / (i) the performance of the sector in Europe; / (ii) the know-how of actors in the sector, in particular of rail workers; / (iii) the advantages of rail in terms of safety and environmental protection; and / (iv) career opportunities for pupils, students and apprentices; / - Mobilising railway museums to relay the messages of the European Year; / - Mobile exhibition trains in the Union to inform the public about the objectives of the European Year and to highlight the attractiveness of its many messages; / - Providing Inter-rail passes for young people in connection with Erasmus studies or competitions to extend the reach of the European Year; / - Exploiting the potential of stations as places of art, urban meeting places and economic, …

RemovedThe Rapporteur welcomes this Commission proposal, which declares 2021 ‘European Year of Rail’ and aims at promoting rail transport, in line with the objectives of sustainable and smart mobility set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal.

RemovedTransport accounts for a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, and still growing. To achieve climate neutrality, a 90% reduction in transport emissions is needed by 2050. Moreover, in accordance with the Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area, 50% of market share needs to shift to medium distance and intercity passenger journeys from road to rail transport, whilst in the freight sector, by 2030, 30% of road freight should shift to other modes such as rail or waterborne transport, and more than 50% by 2050.

RemovedOne key of success for the European Green Deal is directing attention and efforts on rail: trains should be more affordable, more frequent, better connected and more energy efficient. Rail has to play a significant role in accelerating the reduction in transport emissions, as it is one of the most environmentally friendly and energy-efficient transport modes. It is largely electrified, it increasingly uses renewable energy and it emits far less CO2 than equivalent travel by road or air. Moreover, it is one of the safest transport modes and connects people and business across the EU. However, despite these clear benefits, rail is placed at a significant disadvantage compared to other transport modes, particularly aviation. Airlines are exempt from paying tax on aviation fuel and receive a large amount of free allowances under the Emissions Trading System. These advantages often mean that even for short distances, rail is placed at a disadvantage vis-a-vis aviation that offers more competitively priced short-haul flights despite the great climate impact.

RemovedThe Rapporteur not only supports the proposal of the ‘European Year of Rail, 2021’ but also encourages the EC to be more ambitious. Our society needs to shift from road and aviation in favour to rail. This will require investments in rail infrastructure capacity, both extending the network and deploying digital traffic management technologies such as ERTMS.

RemovedEven when the global health crisis provoked by COVID-19 brought our countries to a near standstill, rail and urban rail systems have continued to ensure the circulation of goods and the continuation of fundamental services, including passengers working in ‘essential professions’.

RemovedThe Rapporteur calls for an improvement in public transport to have sustainable urban planning for more soft mobility solutions. This can be achieved by a system of effective transport pricing and affordable rail tickets, in order to improve traffic patterns and foster sustainable modal choices of passengers and logistics operators.

RemovedThe Rapporteur wishes to establish a cooperative environment to work together with railway undertakings and finally establish a system of through ticket in EU, especially for journeys across borders, which would enable passengers to claim their rights in case of a missed connection due to a delay in a previous leg of his journey.

RemovedThe Rapporteur also points out the importance to revitalise night trains and build regional connections across the EU. This will call for investment in the rolling stock and infrastructure of night trains, reactivating routes to make them again a viable and affordable alternative for travellers to European destinations as it has been in the past. In this regard, during the European Year, the Rapporteur encourages the EC to promote at maximum the existing EU night train network and have initiatives where cross-borders night trains will circulate showing the EU visual identity.

RemovedA real ‘rennaissance of the rail’ requires that financing should focus in particular on the (re)instatement of missing regional cross-border rail links, maintaining and upgrading existing lines, bridges and tunnels as well as reactivating disused lines where passengers and freight can shift to rail; funding should support research and innovation in clean transport and it should be geared towards sustainable, intermodal and smart mobility with rail in the core of any European mobility strategy and as a pre-condition for funding.

RemovedThe Rapporteur strongly believes that the European Year of Rail 2021 will be able give visibility and promote rail as an attractive and sustainable way to move, to citizens, business and authorities thanks to projects, debates, events and exhibitions that will take place across Europe.

RemovedRail contributes to the EU economic and, bringing jobs and other benefits to local communities as well as and contributing to integrate the Union internal market. This European Year shall present rail as a sustainable, modern and safe mode of transport and shall reach out to the wider public, fostering cohesion and social inclusion, especially focusing on the youth and people with disabilities.

Removed14.7.2020