Changes from plenary report to adopted text

RemovedEXPLANATORY STATEMENT

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