Transport groups push for priority in EU budget

Europe must "reverse the trend of continued underfunding of the transport sector".
By Adam Hill April 5, 2024 Read time: 2 mins
ERF director general Christophe Nicodème: "Road infrastructure investment is necessary for its maintenance, preservation, and adaptation to new mobility (image © Dm Stock Production/Dreamstime)

Asecap, Polis, EIT Urban Mobility, the European Union Road Federation (ERF) and UITP are among 44 European transport organisations advocating for transport to be at the heart of the next European Union budget.

They are campaigning for the Council and the European Parliament to increase the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) budget for transport in the upcoming review of the Multi-Annual Financial Framework.

The group argues that decarbonisation of transport is a necessity - but that the sector is also an enabler of connectivity, a creator of jobs, and a key factor in ensuring the continent's resilience.

"The take-away for European leaders and policymakers should be clear," says the group in a statement. "This is the moment for Europe to reverse the trend of continued underfunding of the transport sector and set the bar high. A strong CEF instrument for transport is the best guarantee to deliver high EU added value, foster a level playing field across Europe and enable 'no regret' investments."

ERF director general Christophe Nicodème adds: "Road infrastructure investment is necessary for its maintenance, preservation, and adaptation to new mobility. Maintenance costs increase with a recurrent lack of investment."

The transport sector is of strategic importance, the group says in a statement: "Recent and ongoing crises have proven once again that only with a strong, adaptable and innovative transport sector at its core, Europe will be able to respond effectively to massive disruptions and safeguard its supply chain sovereignty."

"If Europe is to strengthen its resilience, be a leader in the shift to Net Zero and finally complete the Trans-European Transport Network, it must translate its words into deeds and reflect these ambitions in the new EU budget for transport," it concludes.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Importance of continued transportation investment
    May 2, 2012
    The US infrastructure network requires urgent attention - * T Peter Ruane. America's transportation infrastructure was once the "shining light on top of the hill." Major investments in a national highway, bridge, transit, airport, port and waterway system during the 20th century paid great dividends. The free and efficient flow of goods and people across the 50 states led to unparalleled economic expansion. The mobility and prosperity resulting from an interconnected infrastructure was a model for the world
    Read More
  • Developing transport corridors for shared prosperity
    May 14, 2015
    SEETO’s acting general manager reflects on a decade of transition in South East Europe Ten years ago, the Western Balkans region and the European Commission agreed on a regional transport network consisting of the Pan- European corridors crossing the region to which additional routes were added. The resulting SEETO Comprehensive Road Network was formally recognised in 2013 by the European Union as part of the Trans- European Transport Network for South East Europe. By extending Europe’s main corridors
    Read More
  • PPRS speaker and MEP Cramer will urge more road maintenance
    February 3, 2015
    The chairman of the European Parliament’s transport committee wants an emphasis on road maintenance and finishing international connecting roads systems than on new grandiose highways. If national government’s fail to do this, as it’s their responsibility, then the European Union’s major cities can look forward to increasing gridlock in the coming decades. Congestion and maintenance are first and foremost the responsibility of member states and nobody wants to change this,” said Michael Cramer, chairm
    Read More
  • FIA Region I cautiously welcomes European Parliament transport report
    July 16, 2015
    The European Parliament’s Transport and Tourism (TRAN) Committee voted to approve a report evaluating the implementation of the European Commission’s 2011 White Paper on Transport. The document outlines the priorities and directions that the TRAN Committee would like to see the Commission take as they continue the consultation process for the revision of the White Paper on Transport. The Parliament’s position is that consumers must be at the heart of all transport policy initiatives. FIA Region I, a cons
    Read More

Highlighted Content