Urban Nodes Platform Event: Shaping the Future of European Transport

Symbolic picture by Patrick Sommer on Pixabay

Representatives from urban nodes, EU policymakers, TEN-T corridor coordinators, researchers, and academics convened for this one-day event. Organized by Eurocities and the City of Antwerp as part of the Horizon SCALE-UP Project, the gathering focused on urban nodes governance and funding for transport investments in urban areas.

Key Takeaways

The overarching message from the event was one of optimism. Participants agreed that there’s no need for alarm regarding the challenges presented by the revised TEN-T Regulation because of the following reasons:

1. Cities have always been central to transport planning.
2. Many urban nodes already have multi-level cooperation systems in place for better transnational, trans-European, and local transport.
3. The revised TEN-T Regulation is seen as an opportunity to scale up existing efforts.

Looking Ahead

The event emphasized the need to:

• Better integrate transport systems across the network
• Enhance connections between long-distance transport and urban mobility
• Scale up collaboration efforts to meet the challenges posed by the revised TEN-T Regulation

This gathering marks a step towards a more integrated and efficient European transport network.

Source: 

Scale Up Project on Linked-In 

EU Commission Greenlights German Future of Rail Freight Transport Programme

Symbolic picture by Silberkugel66 on Pixabay

The European Commission has given its stamp of approval for the continuation of the federal programme ‚Future of Rail Freight Transport‘. This decision paves the way for the amended guidelines to take effect from January 1, 2025, running through the end of 2029.

Key Features of the Programme

• Focus on innovation in digitalisation, automation, and vehicle technology
• Expanded to include projects at lower levels of technological maturity
• Aims to reduce the innovation deficit and investment backlog in the rail freight sector

Strategic Developments

In conjunction with this programme, the Rail Freight Round Table, led by State Secretary Susanne Henckel, has published a comprehensive strategy for the automation and digitalisation of rail freight transport. This strategy aligns with the rail freight master plan and aims to strengthen rail freight’s competitiveness while reducing emissions.

Words from State Secretary Susanne Henckel

„Today is a good day for innovative rail freight transport. The European Commission has given the green light for the continuation of our innovation programme ‚Future of Rail Freight Transport‘ for the next five years. Together with the industry, we have developed a strategy for the comprehensive automation and digitalisation of rail freight transport to implement the programme in an even more targeted manner.“

Programme Impact and Future Outlook

• Since 2020, approximately €155 million has been allocated from the federal budget
• 27 projects funded so far, with a total of €100.42 million
• More innovation projects in the pipeline
• The sector contributes 50% of project costs

For more information on the programme and application process, please visit the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) website below.

Sources(In German): 

Bmdv.bund.de

Dszf.bund.de

Italian Rail Freight Subsidy Scheme Faces New Hurdles

Symbolic picture by Lukas Blazek on Unsplash

Subsidy Scheme in Jeopardy

The Italian initiative aimed at incentivizing the purchase of rail freight rolling stock is once again at risk. According to Fermerci, the Italian sector association, the scheme is threatened by „bureaucratic red tape and continuing legislative delays.“

Timeline of Events

• 2021: Scheme introduced with a budget of 170 million euros
• 2023: European Commission approves the initiative
• March-September 2023: Discussions about potential cuts to the scheme
• Recent development: Fund reduced by 55 million euros to 115 million

Current Status

Despite the reduction, the remaining 115 million euros are still in danger due to lengthy bureaucratic procedures.

Industry Impact

Giuseppe Rizzi, Fermerci’s general manager, reports:

• Industry operators invested heavily, relying on these incentives
• Total financial exposure of about 700 million euros for 196 new locomotives
• This figure would be higher if wagons were included

Key Concern

The constant uncertainty surrounding this scheme is penalizing the rail freight sector. Industry players are left to navigate challenging market conditions with potentially less support than initially anticipated.

Source: 

Railfreight.com