The current revision process of the TEN-T offers an important window-of-opportunity to better incentivize modal shift on the European transport network. Especially the trans-alpine infrastructures are crucial elements within the TEN-T network and the Alpine regions require a strong European framework to make the new rail infrastructures fully operational. During an event of the “Friends of EUSALP” group of the European Parliament, iMONITRAF! joined representatives of the EUSALP regions to discuss the current revision process of the TEN-T and how it can better serve the modal shift rationale.

A stronger standardisation on the TEN-T network to enable quality tracks for freight trains, the elimination of bottlenecks (also related to terminal infrastructures) and a higher commitment to finalize the TEN-T network are crucial requirements from an Alpine viewpoint when it comes to the revision of the TEN-T Regulation. The Transport Committee of the European Parliament supported by MEP Barbara Thaler from Tyrol as rapporteur for this dossier, has put forward an “update” to the initial proposal of the Commission and addresses the challenges not only of the Alpine regions but of the EU in general to strengthen modal shift as most efficient decarbonisation measure for freight transport. The proposal and further need for action was discussed with MEPs from the Alpine regions, representatives of EUSALP and iMONITRAF! during last week’s “Friends of EUSALP” meeting.

During this meeting, Herald Ruijters (DG Move) as representative of the European Commission highlighted the urgency to complete the TEN-T core network in time and explained the need for a stronger enforcement mechanism. MEP Herbert Dorfmann from South Tyrol illustrated necessary improvements of terminal infrastructures which are required to use the full capacities of the TEN-T infrastructures but also how a better coordination between the core network corridors is necessary to avoid unwanted traffic shifts between the corridors.

Overall, the discussion during the “Friends of EUSALP” meeting confirmed the viewpoint and statement of iMONITRAF! with regard to the TEN-T revision. iMONITRAF! calls for the following four corner stones to be considered in the revision process:

•Quality tracks for freight trains: stronger guidelines for the provision of rail capacities for long freight trains and the harmonisation of standards.

•Provisions for simple and fast border crossings: definition of a maximum dwelling time of 15 minutes at national borders, supported by simpler administrative procedures and an accelerated deployment of ERTMS.

•Improvement of terminal infrastructures to enable longer rail legs: modernisation and further development of intermodal terminal infrastructures, also in urban nodes.

•Avoid further delays and exemptions to finalize the TEN-T corridors: turn the working plans of the TEN-T coordinators into implementing acts with yearly reporting, to quickly kick-off infringement procedures if works on the TEN-T infrastructures are delayed.

More detailed information on the TEN-T revision process and the claims of the iMONITRAF! regions can be found in our statement.

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