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  • European Commission speeds up roll-out of information services for motorists

    The European Commission promotes the roll-out of intelligent information services for Europe's drivers. Rules adopted on 15 May 2013 ensure such information services will be compatible across Europe.

  • Marco Polo programme – the results and outlook

    The European Commission adopted on 14 May 2013 a Communication on the Marco Polo programme (2003 – 2013) which helps companies introduce transport services that shift freight off the road and on to more environmentally friendly modes such as short-sea shipping, rail and inland waterways.

  • Commission plans to support development of 'smarter cities'

    Under the European Commission's leadership, a high-profile group of mayors and industry representatives has started to work towards making Europe’s cities 'smarter'.

  • 20 achievements in transport

    Safer skies, seas and roads, decent working hours for people with jobs in the transport industry and wider choices for those using it, fighting pollution now and finding new technologies to make our future journeys even cleaner – we’ve been busy over the last 20 years at European level to make transport better. Read on to see 20 examples of how Europe has made your life easier and safer through better transport.

    This brochure is also available in the following languages: de pdf - 8 MB [8 MB] , es pdf - 8 MB [8 MB] , fr pdf - 8 MB [8 MB] , it pdf - 8 MB [8 MB] , pl pdf - 8 MB [8 MB]

  • Air Traffic Management: Commission launches the deployment of SESAR

    The Commission has adopted on 3 May 2013 a new Regulation establishing governance and incentive mechanisms to facilitate the effective and timely deployment of SESAR, the Union's flagship project that aims at modernising the Air Traffic Management (ATM) system and enhancing its performance.

  • Single European Sky: Commission paves the way for more ambitious performance targets

    The European Commission adopted on 3 May 2013 revised implementing Regulations on performance and charging, setting the framework for the upcoming negotiations on targets for the second reference period (2015 to 2019) of the SES Performance Scheme.

  • New EU rules for safer and more environmental lorries

    The European Commission proposed on 15 April 2013 new rules to allow manufacturers to develop more aerodynamic lorries which will reduce fuel consumption by 7-10%, cut emissions of greenhouse gases, and also enhance the safety of vulnerable road users.

  • Road safety: EU reports lowest ever number of road deaths and takes first step towards an injuries strategy

    Road fatalities across the EU have decreased by 9% in 2012. According to new figures published by the European Commission today, 2012 saw the lowest number of people killed in road traffic in EU countries since the first data were collected.

  • Commission proposes new measures to strengthen air passenger rights

    The European Commission announced on 13 March 2013 a package of measures to ensure that air passengers have new and better rights to information, care and re-routing when they are stranded at the airport. At the same time there will be better complaint procedures and enforcement measures so passengers can actually obtain the rights to which they are entitled.

  • Passenger rights: better protection for bus and coach travellers in the EU

    On 1 March 2013, Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger rights becomes applicable, providing bus and coach travellers throughout the EU with new rights.

  • Cross-border police operation targets road users

    Police officers from 28 countries across Europe took part in a large-scale motorway control operation in France and Belgium on Thursday 21 February 2013. The five-hour operation was prepared by the Belgian National Traffic Police, the French National Gendarmerie, French National Police and Dutch National Traffic Police. During this time, hundreds of cars, buses and trucks travelling across the border were stopped and checked. Police were joined by representatives of partner agencies including vehicle inspectorate, customs and revenue.

  • European Railways at a junction: the Commission adopts proposals for a Fourth Railway Package

    The European Commission announced on 30 January 2013 a comprehensive package of measures to deliver better quality and more choice in railway services in Europe. Rail is a vital part of EU transport, with a key role in addressing rising traffic demand, congestion, fuel security and decarbonisation. But many European rail markets are currently facing stagnation or decline.

  • EU launches clean fuel strategy

    The European Commission announced on 24 January 2013 an ambitious package of measures to ensure the build-up of alternative fuel stations across Europe with common standards for their design and use. Policy initiatives so far have mostly addressed the actual fuels and vehicles, without considering fuels distribution. Efforts to provide incentives have been un-co-ordinated and insufficient.

  • Road Transport: New European Driving Licence

    From January 19th 2013, all new driving licences issued across the EU will be in the form of a plastic "credit card," with a standard European format and tougher security protection. The new European licence will progressively replace the more than 100 different paper and plastic models currently in use by more than 300 million drivers across the EU.  It is part of a broader package of measures (3rd EU Driving Licence Directive) coming into force designed to enhance free movement, tackle driving licence fraud and improve road safety across the EU.

  • Kallas seeks pan-European cooperation on Single Sky

    European Commission Vice-President Siim Kallas called today on the 44 Director-Generals representatives of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) for full engagement on the implementation of the Single European Sky, and for a positive cooperation between ECAC and the EU.

  • MEPs vote on Better Airports package

    The European Parliament voted today on proposed measures to help increase the capacity of Europe's airports, reduce delays and improve the quality of services offered to passengers. In its vote on the "airports package" the Parliament gave strong support for the Commission's proposals to improve slot allocation as well as to improve the transparency of noise decisions. The Parliament referred the proposals on ground handling back to the Parliamentary Committee for further consideration.

  • Aviation safety: Commission updates the European safety list of airlines

    The European Commission has adopted on 4 December 2012 the 20th update of the European list of air carriers which are subject to an operating ban or operational restrictions within the European Union, better known as "the EU air safety list".

  • Single European Sky: Member States fail to reach key deadline to achieve more efficient European airspace

    Many Member States are seriously lagging behind and not yet fully compliant with requirements to make nine Functional Airspace Blocks (FABs) fully operational, for the deadline of 4 December 2012.

  • Connect to compete!

    Transport matters! Discover some fascinating facts on how transport allows Europe to Connect to compete

    Or check out all the facts on video .

  • Commission seeks formal explanations from Spain on changes to airport charges

    The European Commission has formally asked Spain on 21 November 2012 to clarify how airport charges have been modified at airports operated by AENA Aeropuertos. The decision to send a letter of formal notice has been taken following the reception of several complaints asserting that the European Directive on airport charges has not been respected.

  • Driving licences: Commission proposes reduced fine for Cyprus

    The European Commission decided on 21 November 2012 to amend its decision referring Cyprus to the European Court of Justice for not fully transposing the Directive on driving licences.

  • Commission promotes smooth transition to the new European driving licence

    On 19 November 2012, the European Commission adopted technical changes to the Directive on driving licences in order to provide more flexibility and a smoother transition to the new driving licence regime. The amendment aims to avoid unnecessary administrative burden to citizens or industry. There are around 300 million European citizens having a driving licence, most of them will be concerned about this new Directive.

  • Aviation: ten years of safe flights in Europe

    Vice-President and Commissioner for transport Siim Kallas joined the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in celebrating their 10th anniversary on 14 November 2012.

  • Connecting Europe Facility: Video clip with strong support from business leaders

    Less than two weeks ahead of the special European Council of 22-23 November on the future EU budget 2014-2020, business leaders express strong support for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in a video clip. Top-level representatives leave no doubt about the need for better interconnections in Europe in transport, energy and the internet to enhance Europe's growth and competitiveness, about the need for European action through the CEF and about the strong potential to leverage private finance through this 50 billion initiative.

  • Air transport: Commission adopts new rules for safe commercial flights

    EU citizens will have safer flights following today's publication of a new regulation with modernised binding rules for commercial operations of airplanes and helicopters. The previous regulation on commercial air operations was adopted in 2006. These updated rules reflect scientific and technological developments in the aviation industry and changes in international aviation standards since then. The aim of the regulation is to boost efficiency in air operations while maintaining a high level of safety...

  • Sign the declaration in support of the Connecting Europe Facility

    The future of the Connecting Europe Facility is reaching a critical phase as, in the next few weeks, Member States are expected to decide the EU’s budget for 2014-2020. To support European growth and competitiveness, a number of business leaders have signed a declaration calling on senior EU policymakers to support and approve the Connecting Europe Facility.

  • Parliament supports Commission's agenda for better protection of passengers

    The European Parliament adopted today a report by MEP Georges Bach calling for more EU action to strengthen passenger rights. The report stresses the need to make passenger rights easily understandable to all citizens, to facilitate their implementation and enforcement, and to ensure a similar approach for all modes of transport. The work of the European Parliament in the area of passenger rights, including the report it adopted on air passenger rights on 29 March 2012, gives support to the Commission’s ambitious agenda to promote better protection for passengers facing travel disruptions whether they travel by air, rail, waterborne or road transport...

  • Parliament asks to push ahead with Single European Sky

    The European Parliament adopted today a resolution to push forward implementation of the Single European Sky (SES), very much in line with the European Commission priorities. The Commission welcomes the support of the EP, especially at the time of key implementing deadlines and shares the views of rapporteur Jacqueline Foster that Member States should now prioritise the implementation of SES in accordance with the agreed deadlines and objectives. The EP reiterates the key role of SES in delivering considerable economic, safety and environmental savings to the aviation sector's benefit. It calls for a proactive political support on the part of the Member State applying the performance scheme, delivering real benefits from FABs and deploying SESAR technologies...

  • Maritime transport: seafarers' training to match international standards

    The European Parliament approved today the legislative proposal which will bring the European Union Directive on the training of seafarers in line with recently updated international rules. The legislative proposal also aims to ensure that information concerning seafarers is collected, aggregated and made available for statistical purposes. Today, accurate figures in this respect are lacking. The Commission adopted its proposal on 14 September 2011 and a political agreement in Council was already reached in December last year. International rules set minimum standards, while EU rules ensure their enforcement in the EU. European and international legislation are important to ensure quality jobs and safety at sea...

  • Single European Sky: 10 years on and still not delivering

    The Single European Sky, the flagship project to create a single European airspace – tripling capacity and halving air traffic costs – is "not delivering". Vice-President Siim Kallas, European Commissioner for transport, today announced his intention to present new legislative proposals in Spring 2013 to accelerate implementation, as well as taking all enforcement actions possible, including infringements where necessary.

  • Connecting Europe

    Business leaders and policy-makers strongly support the Commission's 50 billion plan for strategic infrastructure investment in transport, energy and internet

    Brochure pdf - 2 MB [2 MB]

    Connecting Europe Facility video

    Connecting Europe Facility

  • New horizons for EU aviation

    Global aviation is changing dramatically and Europe has been harder hit by the recession than many other regions. The European Commission has today set out an ambitious package of proposals to boost the international competitiveness of the EU's aviation industry by opening negotiations with key partners to access new business opportunities in the fast growing markets, developing new tools to fight unfair competition and creating the right regulatory conditions to stimulate investment.

  • Europe's railways: connecting and competing in the future

    Speech by Vice President Siim Kallas at the Conference on the fourth railway package

  • Get the app

    The European Commission has launched this application to cover air and rail transport; the app will also be extended to bus/coach and waterborne transport in 2013.

Last update: 09/10/2012 | Contact us | Sitemap | Top