Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Commissioner-designate for the sustainable transport and tourism portfolio, presented its vision for EU transport system during its hearing on November 4, 2024, in front of the Transport and Tourism Committee.
Speaking on the modal shift, the Commissioner-designate said he would present a plan to connect EU capitals and large cities by high-speed rail, including night trains. TRAN members questioned Apostolos Tzitzikostas on the review of aviation service and air passenger right rules, the modal shift from road to rail, concrete proposals to encourage high-speed and night trains, the development of clean corporate fleet as well as additional measures to ensure transport safety. In addition, Mr. Tzitzikostas committed to presenting a single digital booking and ticketing option for rail in the first year of his mandate. The ticketing regulation which would be presented by the end of 2025, will be complemented by the improvement of the existing obligations in this area, as well as a multimodal digital mobility services initiative to make it easier for EU citizens to opt for more sustainable travel options.
The high-speed rail development would become a reality through the effective implementation of TEN-T policy and targeting the numerous remaining obstacles to better connectivity of all European rail services, which are lack of interoperability, such as in signalling and lack of sufficient deployment of other digital technologies. “These actions will also contribute to enhanced connections, including by night trains and more modern and flexible rail freight so that all regions of Europe are adequately served. Since rail must be supported by a strong and diverse rail supply industry and a competent labour force, m ocus will also include promoting solutions expected to contribute to a better functioning of the European railway system,” Apostolos Tzitzikostas explained.
His plan is to increase investment and deployment of rail infrastructure and high-speed rail services and improve passenger experience through single digital booking and ticketing across Europe in order to promote greater use of rail as a sustainable mode of transport. at the same time, European cities will be supported to prepare and develop their Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans to create a public transport system that would become the backbone of cities’ mobility ecosystem.
For Mr. Tzitzikostas, the implementation and enforcement of the Fourth Railway Package remains crucial to improve the rail service offer. Enhancing rail connectivity through infrastructure upgrades and new cross-border connections, and better integrating the rail network with other transport modes, will be also key areas of activity.
The Commissioner-designate is also committed to increasing intermodal freight transport, which combines the environmental performance and energy efficiency of rail, short sea shipping and inland waterways with the flexibility of road transport. “This is the most promising and dynamic market segment of freight transport. I will make every effort to reach an ambitious agreement on the proposed revision of the Combined Transport Directive,” Mr. Tzitzikostas said.
The Commissioner-designate will also prepare a comprehensive EU Port Strategy to improve the security, sustainability and competitiveness of the EU’s ports.
In order to support transition towards a sustainable and digitalised transport to remove barriers to enhance its competitiveness, Mr. Tzitzikostas underlined that “will present a Sustainable Transport Investment Plan to scale up and prioritise investments in transport decarbonisation solutions, and I will develop an EU industrial action plan for the automotive sector and a new industrial maritime strategy.”
In his introductory speech, Apostolos Tzitzikostas stressed that if confirmed as Commissioner for sustainable transport and tourism he will focus on enhancing the competitiveness of the EU’s transport sector, sticking to the agreed timetable for its green and digital transitions, completing the Trans-European Transport (TEN-T) network by the established deadlines, enhancing transport safety, and ensuring the enforcement of current EU rules.
To push for transport decarbonisation solutions, such as the production of sustainable fuels and the development of charging infrastructure, he committed to presenting a sustainable transport investment plan in 2025, while on competitiveness he pledged to develop an EU industrial action plan for automotive sector.
Several MEPs asked the Commissioner-designate to support the EU’s transport and tourism sectors and look for solutions at the EU level. Cutting red tape, less reporting requirements and a pause on new proposals without undertaking an impact assessment were some of the demands presented by MEPs to Mr Tzitzikostas.
MEPs also asked questions on working conditions in the transport sector, especially in aviation and maritime, and secured a commitment from Mr Tzitzikostas for a comprehensive evaluation of the situation in this area within his first 100 days.
The election by MEPs of the full college of Commissioners is currently scheduled to take place during the 25-28 November plenary session in Strasbourg.
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