Appeal: more money for transport 05/04/24

Source: https://intermodalnews.eu/2024/04/05/appeal-more-money-for-transport-europe-will-not-regret-it/

44 European transport organisations have jointly called on the Council and the European Parliament to establish a transport financing tool with a larger pool of resources than the Connecting Europe Fund (CEF). “The ambitions and challenges facing the transport sector are high but they are not met with current EU financial support,” the organisations agree. “It is time for Europe to reverse the trend of persistent underfunding of the transport sector and set the bar high.”

The common appeal itself has great political and social significance. It is also addressed at a special moment – before the upcoming European Parliament elections and the expected review of the multiannual financial framework. Therefore, it took the form of a campaign leaflet, which will be delivered to the EU representative during the Connecting Europe Days in Brussels.

Starting point

The transport sector is strategic in responding to geostrategic, environmental and “people and goods capacity” challenges in Europe, the leaflet states.

The recent and ongoing crises have proven once again that only with a strong, flexible and innovative transport sector will Europe be able to respond effectively to massive disruptions, protect supply chain sovereignty and ensure economic, social growth and prosperity, the message says.

If Europe is to strengthen its resilience, lead the transition to net zero emissions and finally complete the Trans-European Transport Network, it must translate its words into action and reflect these ambitions in the new EU transport budget.

A section of the leaflet highlights that “the Trans-European Transport Network is still incomplete and suffers from ongoing bottlenecks affecting the efficiency of the whole transport supply chain. As our economies and societies become more integrated, the demand for transport will only grow. Europe needs to ensure that bottlenecks and the lack of interoperability are resolved, digitalisation can be deployed and enough capacity is available to match the current and future transport demand”.

Underinvestment

The huge surplus of expected financial assistance in CEF applications in the current transport budget “shows once again that the ambitions and challenges facing the transport sector are high but not met.”

European ports alone have investment needs totalling over 80 billion euros for the next 10 years, according to a new investment study by ESPO (European Sea Ports Organisation).

“Ports are no longer just nodes in the maritime supply chain. Without key ports, it is impossible to secure energy sources, achieve a green transition, ensure cohesion, sustainable and competitive agriculture, maintain attractiveness for the industry – particularly for new net-zero industries – and have a strong military capability,” commented ESPO Secretary-General Isabelle Ryckbost.

According to ERFA (European Rail Freight Association), the extended CEF can contribute to the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network by removing bottlenecks and expanding key infrastructure parameters to enable the operation of 740-meter-long trains with an axle load of 22.5 tonnes.

According to ERFA, a larger CEF will be key to achieving a 50 per cent increase in rail freight volumes by 2030 and a doubling of volumes by 2050, the target set out in the EU’s strategy for sustainable and smart mobility.

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