Today the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) and the European Passenger Federation (EPF) published a common statement on the mid-term review of the White Paper on Transport, calling on the European Commission to swiftly adopt concrete policies to encourage a modal shift to rail and public transport.

CER and EPF also welcomed today’s adoption by the European Parliament of its report on the mid-term review of the Transport White Paper, which reiterates the importance of maintaining the targets set in the White Paper as it was published in 2011.

CER and EPF share the view that rail’s contribution to growth and job creation is critical to the EU’s economy and employment recovery, as well as for creating a safer and more sustainable transport system. Therefore, in view of the upcoming mid-term review of the Transport White Paper, CER and EPF urge the European Commission to take effective steps to realise the modal shift to rail that the document aims to achieve, in particular:

  • Secure solid, sufficient and predictable funding of rail infrastructure
  • Enable fair competition between transport modes
  • Set up a transport pillar for EU’s climate and energy policies
  • Tackle the problem of air pollution, congestion and CO2 emissions
  • Implement policies aimed at internalising external costs

The associations’ full statement can be found here.

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said:  Effective steps need to be taken to turn the White Paper’s objectives into reality. A policy framework encouraging rail travel and public transport is key to support the European railwaysĄŻ continued commitment to work towards increased passenger care and service quality, in order to better meet the needs and expectations of its customers.

Josef Schneider, member of the EPF Management Board, commented: We welcome the aims of the Transport White Paper as set out in 2011 and want to see concrete steps towards the achievement of those aims. Investment in public transport in general and rail in particular, will benefit the economy, the environment and society as a whole and help create good quality jobs. Cities absolutely need good rail connections for sustainable growth.