European Commission’s policy package aimed at improving EU’s transport system and its sustainability

Summary:

Package of policy initiatives and actions plans published by the European Commission on 14 December 2021, aimed at modernising the transport system across the European Union (EU) and supporting the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility.

Further information:

The initiatives aim to support the transition to cleaner, greener, and smarter mobility, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal. This is the second policy package delivering on the strategy set out by the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. Proposed measures include increasing connectivity and shifting more passengers and freight to rail and inland waterways, supporting the roll-out of charging points, alternative refuelling infrastructure, and new digital technologies, placing a stronger focus on sustainable urban mobility, and making it easier to choose different transport options in an efficient multimodal transport system.

• Action plan to boost long distance and cross-border passenger rail
• Regulation on Union guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network
• Directive on the framework for the deployment of Intelligent Transport Systems
• Communication on the extension of the TEN-T to neighbouring third countries
• Communication on a New EU Urban Mobility Framework

Commentary and Analysis

European Transport Workers' Federation (ETF Europe), 15/12/2021: European Commission’s “efficient and green mobility package” lacks ambition to achieve social sustainability in transport https://www.etf-europe.org/european-commissions-efficient-and-green-mobility-package-lacks-ambition-to-achieve-social-sustainability-in-transport/

Investigate Europe, 16/12/2021: European Commission’s new action plan promises to strengthen railways https://www.investigate-europe.eu/en/2021/european-commission-action-plan-strengthen-railways/

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News

The Guardian, 14/12/2021: Faster trains and cheaper tickets to boost European rail travel in new strategy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/14/faster-trains-and-cheaper-tickets-to-boost-european-rail-travel-in-new-strategy

Bloomberg, 14/12/2021: EU Wants a Rail Renaissance to Help De-Carbonize Transport https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-12-14/eu-looks-to-a-rail-renaissance-to-help-de-carbonize-transport

International Rail Journal, 14/12/2021: European Commission adopts transport proposals to reduce emissions https://www.railjournal.com/news/european-commission-adopts-transport-proposals-to-reduce-emissions/

EurActiv, 15/12/2021: Commission tables ‘green mobility’ laws to modernise EU transport network https://www.euractiv.com/section/transport/news/commission-tables-proposals-to-modernise-transport-network/

Euronews, 15/12/2021: Europe's high speed rail network is about to get bigger, faster and cheaper, under new EU plans https://www.euronews.com/next/2021/12/15/europe-s-high-speed-rail-network-is-about-to-get-bigger-faster-and-cheaper-under-new-eu-pl

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Official

European Commission: Press Release, 14/12/2021: New transport proposals target greater efficiency and more sustainable travel https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_6776

European Commission: DG Mobility and Transport: News, 14/12/2021: New transport proposals target greater efficiency and more sustainable travel https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news/efficient-and-green-mobility-2021-12-14_en

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