Transport in the EU

News and information about the European Union's transport policies.

Study on the economic effects of Maritime Sptial Planning — 30 March 2011, 22:40 CET

Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) is a tool for improved decision-making, providing a framework for arbitrating between competing human activities and managing their impact on the marine environment. Authorities and other stakeholders expect that MSP will bring substantial benefits to maritime economies and the marine environment in Europe. This study aims to provide greater insight into MSP’s economic effects, i.e. the effects of MSP for the maritime economy and stakeholders directly related to the maritime economy.

Fisheries and aquaculture in Europe - February 2011 — 30 March 2011, 22:50 CET

Fisheries and aquaculture in Europe is a magazine published by the Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. The first issue of 2011 features articles on marine data, European organic standards and the Baltic ports Gdansk-Gdynia.

Transport White Paper 2011 - Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area - Towards a competitive and resource efficient transport system — 28 March 2011, 16:33 CET

The European Commission adopted a roadmap of 40 concrete initiatives for the next decade to build a competitive transport system that will increase mobility, remove major barriers in key areas and fuel growth and employment. At the same time, the proposals will dramatically reduce Europe's dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050. By 2050, key goals will include: No more conventionally-fuelled cars in cities. 40% use of sustainable low carbon fuels in aviation; at least 40% cut in shipping emissions. A 50% shift of medium distance intercity passenger and freight journeys from road to rail and waterborne transport. All of which will contribute to a 60% cut in transport emissions by the middle of the century.

Transport 2050: key measures - guide — 28 March 2011, 16:44 CET

The European Commission adopted a comprehensive strategy (Transport 2050) for a competitive transport system that will increase mobility, remove major barriers in key areas and fuel growth and employment. At the same time, the proposals will dramatically reduce Europe's dependence on imported oil and cut carbon emissions in transport by 60% by 2050.

Consular protection for EU citizens — 21 April 2015, 12:35 CET

When living or travelling outside the EU, you sometimes need help from your embassy/consulate - but what if your country has no diplomatic mission in that country? No problem - under EU law you're entitled to help from any other EU Member State's embassy/consulate - under the same conditions as their nationals. So exactly what help can you get in such situations?

EU citizens' rights to consular protection and assistance in third countries - guide — 23 March 2011, 19:33 CET

During emergencies and crises, such as in Japan, Libya or Egypt, EU citizens abroad have the right to ask for assistance from any EU consulate or embassy when their Member State is not represented in the country. EU Member States must also help citizens evacuate as if they were their own nationals. The EU Treaties and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights guarantee this right, which is a key part of EU citizenship. Protection also covers everyday situations, like a passport being stolen, a serious accident or illness. However, many Europeans are not aware of this right. With more EU citizens living, travelling and working abroad - Europeans take over 90 million trips outside the EU each year and around 30 million are resident in non-EU countries – it’s more important than ever to step up awareness. In its policy Communication on consular protection in third countries, the European Commission sets out concrete actions on how to raise EU citizens’ awareness of their rights. In the next year, the Commission will propose coordination measures to ease citizens’ day-to-day consular protection. In addition, the Commission is launching a dedicated website on consular protection. This website provides addresses of consular or diplomatic missions in non-EU countries and access to all Member States' travel advisory services.

Historic aviation emissions and the inclusion of aviation in the EU's Emission Trading System (EU ETS) - guide — 08 March 2011, 13:13 CET

The European Commission on 8 March took an important step in preparing for the full inclusion of aviation in the EU's emissions trading system (EU ETS) from 1 January next year. The European Commission has decided on the historical aviation emissions which will be used to calculate the number of aviation allowances to be available from 2012.

EU proposal for passenger data to fight serious crime and terrorism - guide — 02 February 2011, 18:50 CET

The European Commission has presented a proposal for an EU Passenger Name Record (PNR) Directive to fight serious crime and terrorism. The proposal obliges air carriers to provide EU Member States with data on passengers entering or departing from the EU, whilst guaranteeing a high level of protection of privacy and personal data.

Rights for passengers travelling by bus and coach - guide — 02 December 2010, 13:44 CET

The European Parliament and Council, after a successful conciliation procedure, have agreed on the rights of passengers travelling by bus and coach. A set of basic rights including non-discrimination, adequate information to passengers, in particular those with reduced mobility will apply to all passengers. Additional rights (assistance, accommodation, compensation, etc.) will be granted to passengers travelling long distances (more than 250 km).

New rights for passengers travelling by water - guide — 25 November 2010, 23:26 CET

The European Parliament and the Council have given their signature to a regulation that will enable passengers travelling by sea and by inland waterways to enjoy the same rights wherever they travel in the European Union. Among these rights is the right to information or compensation in the case of delay or cancellation of a journey. In addition, the new rules also offer people with a disability or reduced mobility protection when travelling over water. The new regulation will complement existing rights for air and rail passengers.

How Clean are Europe's Cars: T&E Car Company CO2 report 2010 — 04 November 2010, 10:30 CET

European carmakers are set to achieve mandatory EU targets for new car CO2 emissions years ahead of time according to a new report published today. One carmaker, Toyota, has almost met its target for the year 2015, six years in advance. The study’s findings suggest that carmakers previously exaggerated the time needed to comply with car CO2 limits. Therefore targets now being discussed for vans should be tightened according to Transport & Environment.

Review of the Directive on charging Heavy Goods Vehicles - "Eurovignette Directive - guide — 14 October 2010, 15:39 CET

The "Eurovignette" Directive on charging heavy goods vehicles for the use of infrastructure was originally adopted in 1999. It provides a framework for the levying of road charges on heavy goods vehicles for using the roads that are part of the trans-European network.

EU legislative proposals in the automotive sector — 05 October 2010, 13:19 CET

The EU is the world's largest producer of motor vehicles. The automotive industry is therefore central to Europe's prosperity. It is a huge employer of skilled workforce and a key driver of knowledge and innovation. It represents Europe's largest private investor in research and development (R&D). It also makes a major contribution to EU's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and exports far more than it imports. The main objectives of the European Commission regarding the automotive sector are: To strengthen the competitiveness of the automotive industry; To complete, adapt and simplify the Internal Market regulatory framework; and To promote globalisation of the technical regulatory framework through UNECE.

Substantial improvements of motorcycle functional safety and emission performance - guide — 05 October 2010, 13:21 CET

The European Commission has proposed the mandatory fitting of advanced braking systems on new motorcycles and automatic headlamp-on switching for all L-category vehicles. This category covers a wide range of vehicles such as two- or three-wheel powered cycles, mopeds, motorcycles with and without a side-car, tricycles, on-road quads and mini-cars. The proposal sets also ambitious emission requirements for these vehicles. In addition by introducing enhanced market surveillance requirements, a level playing field will be created for all L-category vehicle manufacturers in a sector where presence of non-compliant products may cause significant safety risks and environmental threats. At the same time it is proposed to radically simplify the current legislative set of 15 Directives by replacing them with just 5 Regulations.

EU external strategy on Passenger Name Record (PNR) - guide — 21 September 2010, 19:07 CET

The European Commission has adopted a package of proposals on the exchange of Passenger Name Record (PNR) data with third countries, consisting of an EU external PNR strategy and recommendations for negotiating directives for new PNR agreements with the United States, Australia and Canada.

EU to make cross border transportation of euro cash easier — 16 July 2010, 19:33 CET

The European Commission has adopted today a proposal for an EU Regulation to lift regulatory obstacles to professional cross-border transportation of euro cash by road between euro-area Member States.

Car prices reports — 09 July 2010, 15:26 CET

The European Commission has published a six-monthly car price report since 1992. From May 2007 the report is published once a year. This initiative was launched following numerous complaints from consumers about differences in car prices between Member States and obstacles placed in the way of those consumers that wished to buy in another EU country. The car price report, which is based on standardised data provided by vehicle manufacturers, provides manufacturers’ recommended prices for about 80 car models of 27 different brands. Prices are given both excluding and including taxes, together with prices for the major options and right-hand-drive supplements.

Euro-MPs set to cut red tape in maritime transport — 06 July 2010, 22:49 CET

Ships entering and departing from EU ports will no longer be subject to complex, repetitive administrative formalities thanks to a new directive approved by European Parliament on Tuesday.

Passenger rights in exceptional situations - guide — 01 July 2010, 22:47 CET

Air and rail passengers continue to enjoy protection even in exceptional circumstances such as the eruption of the Icelandic volcano in April 2010. The situation caused many difficulties for travellers throughout Europe, but passenger rights still applied.

Rail passenger rights in the EU - guide — 30 June 2010, 00:46 CET

The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide publicity campaign in 23 languages to inform passengers about their rights when travelling by rail or air.

Air passenger rights in the EU - guide — 30 June 2010, 00:39 CET

The European Commission has launched a Europe-wide publicity campaign in 23 languages to inform passengers about their rights when travelling by air or rail.

Portugal must comply with Natura 2000 rules, warns EC — 24 June 2010, 21:59 CET

The European Commission has requested that Portugal ensure coastal developments in sensitive natural areas are fully compliant with EU environmental protection law.

Second Stage EU–US "Open Skies" agreement - guide — 24 June 2010, 15:31 CET

The 'second stage' Open Skies aviation agreement was signed by the European Union and the United States in Luxembourg today. The full implementation of the first and second stage agreements is expected to give the economy a EUR 12 billion boost as well as create up to 80,000 new jobs.

The European Cycling Lexicon — 23 June 2010, 00:20 CET

An illustrated passport-sized booklet, containing key terms for cycling, different types of bikes for different mobility needs, and good cycling infrastructure in 27 languages, including all 23 official EU languages. It also contains information on EU-funding sources for cycling and cycling infrastructure, and statistics on cycling in Europe and economic, health and environmental aspects of cycling. This second edition of the Lexicon was officially launched at the international conference on cycling policy "Velo-city Global 2010" in Copenhagen. It is the first publications of its kind and was prepared by the EESC's Section for Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN) in collaboration with the European Cyclists' Federation to respond to the strong demand from citizens, organisations and public authorities for further copies of the European Cycling Lexicon., The lexicon is indispensable for anyone who wishes to cycle in another European country. It raises awareness, both among citizens and at different levels of governance, about the many advantages of cycling and the need for good cycling infrastructure.

EU okays conditionally DFDS acquisition of Norfolk — 19 June 2010, 00:25 CET

The European Commission has approved under the EU Merger Regulation the acquisition of Norfolk, a ferry and cargo shipping provider in the North Sea, by DFDS of Denmark. The approval is conditional upon the conclusion by DFDS of a space charter agreement on routes between the UK and Denmark.