The EU Transport and Mobility Update is a format that aims to provide news on the latest policies, events and trends in the European transport and mobility sector. Compiled by GIZ, it provides insights in technology, sustainability and innovation by highlighting recent articles. Ultimately, this format is meant to foster exchange and dialogue on advancements as well as best practices in the European transport and mobility sector.
All content has been prepared with the greatest possible care and is provided in good faith. The assumptions, views, and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
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Policy + News | 30.11.2021 – 23.12.2021
With the European Year of Rail ending, the European Commission in December released or adopted a number of action plans, proposals and consultations on the topic of railway. These items are listed below.
EUROPE’s Rail: the Shift2Rail initiative has been replaced by EUROPE’s Rail effective 30 November 2021. This new body added 25 additional members (full list see here) and will deliver projects worth EUR 1.2 billion, funded by up to EUR 600 million with the resources provided by the EU’s Horizon Europe Programme through the joint undertaking.
Long-distance and cross-border passenger rail: an action plan on this topic included many commitments, among others one to repeal redundant national technical and operational rules, a promise to investigate EU-wide VAT exemptions for train tickets and new guidelines for track access pricing in 2023.
Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T): the action plan was additionally underscored by promised improvements to the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), including requiring major TEN-T passenger rail lines to allow trains to travel at least 160 km/h by 2040 as well as calls for building additional highspeed rail lines. On top of this, a new intermediary deadline of 2040 was set to advance the completion of major parts of the TEN-T network ahead of the 2050 deadline that applies to the wider, comprehensive network. In conjunction with the TEN-T action plan a new European Urban Mobility Framework was released focusing on the TEN-T network’s urban nodes’ responsibilities.
State aid rules for rail: the EC has commenced a public consultation on a proposed revision to the 2008 Guidance on State Aid for Railway Undertakings. Responses to the questionnaire posted on the Commission’s Better Regulation Portal can be submitted until March 16, 2022. The EC will submit a proposal to the European Council at the beginning of 2022. Adoption of the new guidelines is expected by the end of 2023.
Multimodal ticketing: the EC has launched a consultation on multi-modal ticketing in which it is looking for views on the situation, and whether action is required at the Europeanlevel. The consultation was launched on December 1 and runs until February 23, 2022. A multimodal legislative proposal to boost user-friendly multimodal ticketing is to be set forth in 2022.
European Transport Management System (ERTMS): The rollout of ERTMS is to be accelerated in order to be completed by 2030 for the core TEN-T network. Here, a special focus will be on closing existing gaps such as cross-border sections, nodes and terminal connections. Finally, the EC committed to discuss the possibility of exempting the public financing of ERTMS from the notification obligation under state aid rules, which may speed up the roll out of ERTMS.
Sources: Action Plan to boost passenger rail (europa.eu),
EU launches consultation on multi-modal ticketing | International Railway Journal (railjournal.com)
EC starts consultation on state aid rules for rail | International Railway Journal (railjournal.com)Questions and Answers: European Urban Mobility Framework (europa.eu)
News | 03.12.2021
New record: German EV registrations reach their highest share yet
Registrations of electric vehicles (EVs) rose by 14 % to 68,200 units in November 2021. The share of EVs in total new registrations was 34.4 %, exceeding the previous record, which had been set in October. Within EV registrations, registrations of purely battery-electric passenger cars increased by 39 %, while those of plug-in hybrids fell by 9 %. In the course of 2021 until the 3rd of December, 600,700 electric cars have been newly registered (+92 %).
Source (German): Neuer Rekord: Mehr als jede dritte Neuzulassung im November ein Elektro-Pkw | VDA
News | 14.12.2021
Aviation: Launch of SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking marks a new chapter in modernising European air traffic management
The SESAR 3 Joint Undertaking (SESAR 3 JU) was officially launched in December, marking a new chapter in modernising European air traffic management (ATM). Bringing together the EU, Eurocontrol, and more than 50 organisations covering the entire aviation value chain including drones, this new European partnership will invest more than EUR 1.6 billion between now and 2030 to accelerate, through research and innovation, the delivery of an inclusive, resilient and sustainable Digital European Sky. Building on the achievements of its predecessor, the SESAR 3 JU will drive an ambitious programme to make Europe’s aviation infrastructure fit for the digital age, while offering quick wins to contribute towards the sector’s net zero ambitions.
More updates can be found here:
UPDATES IN THE EU TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY SECTOR [OCTOBER 2021]
UPDATES IN THE EU TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY SECTOR [NOVEMBER 2021]
UPDATES IN THE EU TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY SECTOR [JANUARY & FEBRUARY 2021]
