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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2021)0812 – C90472/2021 – 2021/0420(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Guidelines for the development of the trans-European transport network, amending Regulation (EU) 2021/1153 and Regulation (EU) No 913/2010 and repealing Regulation (EU) 1315/2013

IMCO-PA-730131

Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection · Rapporteur: Salvatore De Meo

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The Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection gives its draft opinion on the proposed regulation on guidelines for the trans-European transport network. It proposes amendments to make the network more accessible, to guarantee free access and fair competition, and to involve businesses and SMEs. The amendments add accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility, protection of walking and cycling paths, and support for smaller production centres and SMEs in peripheral areas. They ask for a common European platform for multimodal ticket sales, more combined transport and rail freight, and accelerated deployment of ERTMS with sufficient funding. They call for the network to support military mobility and food security, including strategic agri-food production centres, and for a new southern European Transport Corridor to be evaluated. They also seek continuity of Connecting Europe Facility financing beyond 2027, co-funding and co-financing from other Union instruments, and a Commission strategy on maintenance.

Committee position. The committee proposes amendments to the Commission's proposed regulation to strengthen the internal market, improve accessibility for all users including persons with disabilities, support SMEs and peripheral production centres, boost combined transport and ERTMS, and adapt the network for military mobility and food security.

Key points

  1. The committee calls on the Committee on Transport and Tourism to take into account its amendments to the proposed regulation on trans-European transport network guidelines.
  2. The amendments add accessibility, affordability and inclusiveness to the network's enabling conditions, and require improved multimodal and interoperable solutions covering the whole production and logistic chain.
  3. Planning, maintenance and upgrading works should consider active mode infrastructures such as walking and cycling, avoiding disproportionate disruptions and removing barriers.
  4. Member States should develop strategies on the needs of smaller production centres, and access to the market must be guaranteed to SMEs.
  5. The interests of businesses and SMEs should be taken into account in planning and construction, and the network should offer all users high standards of accessibility.
  6. Exemptions from infrastructure requirements should be possible only in duly justified cases, should not hamper accessibility in peripheral areas, and should not undermine services vital for businesses and SMEs.
  7. Member States should ensure that national recovery and resilience plans and other national investment plans complement the network's objectives.
  8. A common European platform for multimodal ticket sales should be supported, giving passengers clear information and a single ticket for cross-border trips valid across all Member States.
  9. Combined transport should be at the core of projects of common interest, with attention to perishable goods including food, and the economic benefits of intermodal terminals should be quantified.
  10. ERTMS should be deployed in a continuous and synchronised manner, including on access routes to multimodal terminals, with great financial efforts from Member States and Union institutions.
  11. The Commission should assess the need to adapt the network to enhance strategic infrastructure segments supporting military and dual use, and should include major agri-food production sites to support food security.
  12. The Commission should evaluate creating a new southern European Transport Corridor connecting the east and west sides of the Mediterranean, and further generations of Connecting Europe Facility programmes should be envisaged.

Who is affected

  • Persons with disabilities and reduced mobility: the network and rail services should be made more accessible to them.
  • Small and medium-sized enterprises: they should get easy access to major transport routes and benefit from combined transport solutions.
  • Member States: they must ensure free access without discrimination, fair competition, and coherence of national investment plans with the network.
  • Local and regional authorities: they should be involved through a structured dialogue with European Coordinators.
  • Transport operators, hauliers and terminal owners: their costs and needs should be considered in investment strategies for multimodal terminals.

Figures and deadlines

  • Completion deadlines: core network by 2030, extended core network by 2040, comprehensive network by 2050.
  • Passenger lines at a minimum line speed of 160 km/h should complement existing high speed lines.
  • The current multiannual financial framework runs 2021-2027, with the Connecting Europe Facility foreseen to end in 2027.