Latest changes on emta.com
New environmental impact assessment rules for major public projects
The Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Directive, adopted by the European Parliament and Council of Ministers in 2001, entered into force on 21st July 2004. This Directive asks for public authorities at national and local levels to carry out an environmental assessment of plans and programmes, including transport projects, which are likely to have a significant
The European Railway Agency starts its work
The European Railway Agency (ERA), set up by Regulation 881/2004, held its first meeting on 15th July. The Agency brings together representatives of the 25 Member States, the European Commission, and the actors involved (railway companies, infrastructure managers, railway industry, staff representatives, passenger organisations and railway freight customers). ERA will be responsible for achieving greater
New Transport Committee in the European Parliament
Following the elections for the European Parliament which took place last June, 20 Parliamentary Committees in which the Euro MPs prepare the work of the plenary assembly have been set up in July. The former Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism has been split. The new Committee on Transport and Tourism (abreviation: TRAN), which
Privatisation in sight for DB German Railways ?
H. Mehdorn, chairman of DB German Railways (€28.2 billion of revenues in 2003), confirmed in June his ambition to privatise the company in 2006, based on the improvement of the financial results of the company in 2003 (loss of € – 177 million vs – 454 million in 2002) and the positive perspectives for 2004.
Free transport by train for Belgian employees
The Belgian Government decided in 2003 that the trip to work by train will be free for employees of the public sector as of 1st March 2004. This decision, whose cost for 2004 is estimated at €15 million, will be extended to private companies in 2005. Companies that will pay for the transport costs of
First « Passenger day » in Berlin-Brandeburg
VBB, the regional transport authority in Berlin- Brandenburg (6 million inhabitants on a 30,000km2 territory) held on 20th June the first “Passenger Day” for users of public transport systems. This initiative aimed to foster the exchange of information between the population, transport companies and public authorities, so as to promote the use of public transport
Green light for new tramway in Edinburgh
Since the closure of its tramway network in 1956, the capital city of Scotland (800,000 inhabitants in the metropolitan area) has seen many attempts to reinstate light rail. But it is only in 2003 that the Scottish Executive formally agreed to fund the construction of a modern tramway network. The project, which consists in building
DELFI : a national door-to-door
The DELFI system, that aims to provide doorto- door travel information for public transport users in whole Germany, was launched in 1996 by the German Ministry of transport in co-operation with the Länder (regions). A first version of the system was officially presented on 28th June. Instead of being a new countrywide journey planner, DELFI
London will invest €4.5 billion into public transport infrastructures over the next 5 years
The British government released on 20th July its White Paper about the future of Transport in the UK by 2030. This document, in line with the Spending Review for 2004/2009, supports the Business Plan of Transport for London of almost €4.5 billion of capital investments for the coming 5 years. This announcement is good news
The French State will withdraw from public transport organisation in Paris (Ile-de-France)
The French Parliament adopted on 30th July a law on devolution of powers from the State to local authorities, which contains a chapter on public transport in the region of Paris Ile-de- France (11 million inhabitants). According to this law, the French State, which currently has the majority of stakes in STIF, the regional public
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