News from Europe
New Urban Transport Benchmarking initiative sponsored by the European Commission
The European Commission launched on 6 November 2003 a new initiative of “Benchmarking” (comparison) of the local transport networks in the EU and accession countries, after similar projects between 1998 and 2002. The objective of this one-year programme is to compare the performances of the transport systems of 35-40 European urban areas. Thematic working groups
EMTA surveys the potential application of new technologies on information of passengers with reduced mobility
After the successful workshop organised on 19 November in Brussels on the issue of information of passengers with reduced mobility, EMTA has ordered a survey of the potential impacts of the new technologies on information of passengers with reduced mobility in the field of public transport. The results will be available at the end of
The European Court of Justice rules that financial support which only represents compensation for public service obligations imposed by authorities does not have the status of State aid
The European Court of Justice released on 24th July its long awaited judgement in the Magdeburg-Altmark case, which refers to the legal nature of financial compensations granted by public authorities to companies in the transport sector. The Court ruled that there is no advantage, and therefore no State aid, where a financial measure must be
European Directive on biofuels adopted
The European Council of Ministers of Transport approved on 8th April the biofuels directive already adopted by the European Parliament. Member States must transpose this directive into national laws before 31st December 2004. The directive lays down targets for the progressive introduction of biofuels derived from agricultural, forestry and organic waste products between now and
Fuel duty rebate for biodiesel used by public transport in the United Kingdom
The British government announced at the end of 2002 that local bus operators in the UK will be eligible for a 100% rebate on biodiesel, which is made from recycled waste vegetable oils or virgin rapeseed oils. Biodiesel can be used as a blend (normally at 5%) in all regular diesel engines. Higher blends and
Contributions of EMTA authorities to the European research programme on integration of public transport systems
EMTA is actively involved in the European research programme on integration of public transport systems of the European Commission. Some member authorities (Barcelona, Brussles, Genoa, Paris) have contributed case studies highlighting the role of public transport authorities to achieve a high level of integration of networks in the interest of passengers. Theses case studies can
Survey on funding of public transport systems through land value capture
Following the workshop organised last October on the issue of transport and land use policies, a working group bringing together five EMTA transport authorities (Barcelona, Dublin, London, Madrid and the West Midlands) has deciced to survey the potential new sources of funding of public transport systems that could derive from a partial capture of the
European Directive on biofuels adopted
The European Council of Ministers of Transport approved on 8th April the biofuels directive already adopted by the European Parliament. Member States must transpose this directive into national laws before 31st December 2004. The directive lays down targets for the progressive introduction of biofuels derived from agricultural, forestry and organic waste products between now and
New statistics on travel habits of British people
Figures released by the Department for Transport of the British government show that British residents travelled an average 10,900 km per year in the period 1999/2001, that is to say an increase by 5% in comparison to 1989/1991, mainly owing to an increase of 13% of the length of trips. Car travel accounted for 80%
Road traffic accidents are the first cause of injury-related deaths in the world
Two publications of the World Health Organisation highlight that road traffic accidents are the first cause of injury-related deaths in the world, ahead of suicides, violence, drownings, wars and burns. 1,26 million people died in road crashes worldwide in 2000, and among them 40,800 in the EU alone. Although the trend is towards fast improvements
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