Newsletter20 and 21 June 2018

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Editorial by Karima DelliDear friends,

This was a great opportunity to bring TRAN Members together withMembers of the national parliaments to discuss a key subject – how toprogress and enhance transport networks, connectivity and sustainablemobility throughout Europe.

The Union’s budget for the upcoming years will soon be decided uponand set by the European parliament and the Member States, thereforenow is the time to make our voices heard. The TRAN committee is determined to ensure that appropriate andadequate funding is properly allocated to serve citizens’ everyday mobility needs, and to help make the trade ofgoods across Europe as sustainable and smooth as possible. To that end, we need to be smart – and ensureinnovative sources of funding and the implementation of optimal digital solutions.

In this edition... Europe on the move Rail passenger rights and obligations Union’s integrated approach to reduce CO² emissions from light-duty vehicles Digitalisation in transport EU Investing in its Transport Networks beyond 2020 Proposal for establishing a European Labour Authority

Strategic INI Report on Europe on the moveVote

Rapporteur: István Ujhelyi (S&D) Ordinary Legislative procedure Vote in Plenary: September 2018

On 21 June, the TRAN committee adopted, with a largemajority, the strategic own-initiative report "Europe onthe Move: an agenda for the future of mobility in theEU".

The report addresses key future challenges for theEuropean transport sector, focusing in particular on theimpact of digitalisation on transport services,infrastructure, manufacturing and people, both asworkers and as users.

In future, transport has to be cleaner, safer, betterconnected and more responsive to the needs of itsusers. The mobility sector is undergoing significantchanges due to the emergence of new factors, such asconnected and autonomous vehicles, automateddriving and new collaborative and sharing businessmodels.

The report lays out steps that need to be taken in orderto adjust to upcoming changes and to ensure thatEurope remains at the forefront of developments inthe area of mobility. A suitable ecosystem andadequate funding for research and innovation areessential for this purpose.

The report was adopted with 31 votes in favour, 2against and 2 abstentions.

Committee on Transport and Tourism

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Regulation on rail passenger rights andobligations (recast)Consideration of compromise amendments

Rapporteur: Bogusław Liberadzki (S&D) Ordinary Legislative procedure Vote in TRAN: tbc Vote in Plenary: tbc

The Rapporteur explained that some compromises hadbeen found on a number of very important issues, suchas the rights of persons with disabilities or reducedmobility (PRMs) and the possibility of using astandardised format for complaints.

However, there were some issues that needed furtherdiscussion in order to find compromises, for exampleon the level of compensation in case of delays or onliability of railway undertakings and ticket vendors.Some shadow Rapporteurs insisted that derogationsshould end in 2020, regional trains should not beexempted and compensations should be up to 100%for two hour delays. Others thought a more balancedapproach was needed.

Members generally supported the deletion of theclause of force majeure and the reinforcement of theprovisions related to PRMs. They also underlined that,as cycling tourism was growing, new trains should beequipped with designated spaces for bicycles. Somethought a definition for 'regional trains' was needed,while others stressed that passengers should be thecornerstone of this Regulation.

Opinion to ENVI on Union’s integratedapproach to reduce CO2 emissions fromlight-duty vehiclesConsideration of amendments

Rapporteur: Christine Revault d'AllonnesBonnefoy (S&D)

Ordinary Legislative procedure Vote in TRAN: 10 July 2018 Vote in ENVI: Vote in Plenary: tbc

In this opinion, the Rapporteur proposes a series ofcompromises with the view of meeting the targets setby the Paris Agreement on Climate change. Membersrecognised the need to decarbonise transport but alsoinsisted that realistic targets needed to be consideredwith regard to zero emission vehicles. They raised theissue of technology neutrality, insisting that there werea wide range of solutions to achieve these goals.Members generally agreed that a proper life-cycle

assessment needed to set out and that a reliablecarbon index needed to be developed. Some Memberspointed to the potential impacts on employment, sincethe manufacturing of electric vehicles requiresdifferent skills and less man-hours. Another problemcould be the uptake by consumers. Financial incentivesmay therefore be needed to boost the purchasing ofzero-emission vehicles and reach targets.

Digitalisation in transportPublic hearing

On 20 June, the TRAN Committee held a Public Hearingon “Digitalisation in Transport”. The objective was tobetter understand the impact of digitalisation in thetransport sector, and in particular, which prioritiescould foster its attractiveness and ensure its strongeconomic position in Europe.

There were two panels, with six experts coming fromthe Aviation, Rail, Maritime and Passenger sectors. Alively debate took place following the presentations,with TRAN Members addressing the challenges andoverall impact of digitalisation in transport andtourism.

© European Union 2018 – EP/photographer

Experts insisted on the need to harmonise existinglegislation in all Member States and urged theParliament, in its role as co-legislator, to insist that theCommission thoroughly enforce current rules thatmaintain the gold standard. The discussion focusedmainly on the effects of digitalisation on travellers andpossible difficulties of educating consumers on theadvanced technologies. The Chairwoman had alsoinvited the four EU transport start up-prize winners tobriefly present their projects (Cocolis, MaaS Global,Cargonexx and Klaxit).

EU Investing in its Transport Networks beyond2020Interparliamentary Committee Meeting

The TRAN Committee, together with Members of theNational Parliaments, looked at the current state ofplay and the future outlook of building modern, safeand secure transport networks.

Newsletter 20 and 21 June 2018

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This debate brought together 33 nationalparliamentarians from 16 EU Member States, as well asSerbia and Norway. The first part of the discussionsfocused on the objectives and achievements of TEN-Tpolicy, on the contributions of core network corridorstowards the development of a comprehensivetransport network. Speakers stressed the key role ofproper cross-border cooperation at all levels.

The Parliamentarians then discussed:

The need for new forms of support andinvestment, as well as availability and use of newtechnologies;

The shipping industry, highways of the sea, andtransition to decarbonisation;

The importance of the Rail Baltic Project; The importance and issues of particular cross-

border projects, such as Lyon-Turin or Fehmarn-Belt.

The second part of the meeting focused on the post-2020 outlook for transport infrastructure investments,addressing various investment challenges against abackground of scarce financial resources, and howTEN-T projects could benefit from innovative sourcesof funding.

The Commission presented their new CEF and InvestEU proposals, in which they attempt to find ways tomaximise the leveraging of public funds, to streamlineprocesses and take a comprehensive approach toinvestment needs. The representative from theEuropean Investment Bank pointed out that Europehas been underinvesting in transport and that it isbeginning to show. Economically productive projectsare prioritised by the EIB.

© European Union 2018 – EP/photographer

There was a common view that consistent TEN-Tpolicies and CEF were tools that needed to be usedsmartly, and that transport must get its fair share offuture investments. Parliamentarians also discussed:

The need for better coordination among MemberStates at various levels;

Investment options that could become availablefor peripheral areas, taking into account specificregional conditions, such as islands;

Military mobility as part and parcel of transportinfrastructure funding;

Ways in which smaller and low carbon projectsalso needed to be implementable.

Commissioner Oettinger stressed the key role playedby transport and digital networks for ensuring freedomof movement and goods within the Union. The EUbudget for the next decade has to be both ambitiousand realistic, and must add value to what can or couldbe achieved by individual Member States. Properplanning and coordination play key roles in thesuccessful implementation of core network projects.He reiterated the point that the next financialframework will be key to achieving the goal of buildingcore transport networks by 2030 and the entire TEN-Tnetwork by 2050.

Proposal for establishing a European LabourAuthorityPresentation by the Commission

The proposed Labour Authority has the overarchingobjective to contribute to ensuring fair labour mobilityin the Internal Market. It would be entrusted with anumber of operational tasks in social and labourmatters, namely to provide relevant information andservices to individuals and employers, as well asstrengthening Member States’ cooperation,information exchange, concerted and joint inspectionsand providing mediation and cooperation in the eventof cross-border labour market disruptions. The LabourAuthority could support the cooperation betweenMember States in enforcing relevant transportlegislation, such as the posting of drivers, access to themarket, driving time and cabotage.

Several Members stressed the importance of creatingsuch a Labour Authority while others had doubts aboutits broad scope. Many questions were asked ondifferent issues including on the powers available tothe Labour Authority to implement and enforce itsdecisions, on the possibility of giving sanctions toMember States, on its ability to coordinate with otheragencies and national authorities to avoid anoverlapping of competences, on the possibility ofrevising the Labour Authority’s mission after a certainperiod of time and finally on the place selected for theheadquarter.

Committee on Transport and Tourism

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Next TRAN Committee meeting: planned draft agenda - To be confirmedMonday 9 and Tuesday 10 July

Budget 2019 (opinion to BUDG) - presentation of draft opinion Exchange of views with EIB Vice-President, Mr Hudák, on transport funding Combined transport of goods - amending Directive 92/106 - consideration of amendments Promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles - consideration of amendments Combined transport of goods - amending Directive 92/106 - vote Air Transport Agreement between the European Community and Canada - vote Agreement on Air Transport between Canada and the European Community to take account of the accession of

Croatia - vote Opinion to ENVI on Union’s integrated approach to reduce CO² emissions from light-duty vehicles - vote Promotion of clean and energy-efficient road transport vehicles - vote Access to international bus and coach market - presentation of draft report Presentation of Austrian Presidency priorities by Austrian Federal Minister for Transport, Innovation and

Technology, Mr Norbert Hofer Presentation by the Commission on next CEF Port reception facilities - presentation of draft report Public hearing on Airline distribution channel discrimination

Meeting room: JAN 4Q1 (József Antall building)

TRAN Committee meetings 2018, BrusselsWednesday 29 August, 9h00-12h30Wednesday 29 August, 14h30- 18h30Thursday 30 August, 9h00-12h30

Thursday 6 September, 09h00-12h30Thursday 6 September, 15h00-18h30

Monday 24 September, 15h00-18h30

Monday 8 October, 15h00-18h30

Tuesday 9 October, 9h00-12h30Tuesday 9 October, 15h00-18h30

Thursday 8 November, 9h00-12h30Thursday 8 November, 15h00-18h30

Wednesday 21 November, 9h00-12h30Wednesday 21 November, 15h00-18h30Thursday 22 November, 9h00-12h30

Monday 3 December, 15h00-18h30

Useful linksTRAN website: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/TRANPolicy Department Publication in the European Parliament:http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/supporting-analyses.htmlEuropean Aviation Safety Agency newsletters: http://easa.europa.eu/communications/general-publications.phpEuropean Railway Agency newsletters: http://www.era.europa.eu/Communication/NewsletterEuropean Maritime Safety Agency newsletters: http://www.emsa.europa.eu/news-a-press-centre/newsletters.htmlSESAR Joint Undertaking news: http://www.sesarju.eu/newsroom/all-newsInnovation& Networks Executive Agency: http://ec.europa.eu/inea/enDG MOVE newsletter: http://ec.europa.eu/transport/newsletterBulgarian Presidency of the Council: https://eu2018bg.bg/

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