UNIFE NEWS

OSIRIS Project Launched

OSIRIS EU-funded Project Aims at Reducing Energy Consumption of Urban Transport in Europe

2nd TRA newsletter now published

The second TRA2012 newsletter has just been published.

David Gillan's Farewell

UNIFE members, friends and supporters came together for a farewell reception of David Gillan, General Manager of UNISIG, at the Brewers of Europe on Monday, 19 December.

European rail sector welcomes Parliament’s proposed goals for the future of transport and calls for immediate action

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), and the European Rail Industry (UNIFE) welcome the own initiative report of Mr. Grosch on a Roadmap to a Single European Transport Area adopted today by the European Parliament. In particular, CER and UNIFE welcome the ambition of the European Parliament to set tangible targets for reducing emissions of CO2 from transport by 2020. In doing so, it is crucial to follow the original logic of the Commission White Paper to set one overarching emissions reduction target for all modes.

CER and UNIFE Position Paper on the Future role of ERA

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

One of the key targets of European transport policy is to achieve a Single European Railway Area. For this purpose four key objectives shall be pursued:
• Promoting the development of effective rail infrastructure;
• Establishing an attractive and genuinely open rail market;
• Removing administrative and technical barriers and developing easy and common (Member States neutral) procedures on European level;
• And ensuring a level playing field with other transport modes.

Wider benefits of high speed rail confirmed in new studies

The carbon footprint of high speed rail can be up to 14 times less carbon intensive than car travel and up to 15 times less than aviation even when measured over the full life-cycle of planning, construction and operation.

The figures are outlined in two new research reports detailing the ways in which railways contribute to a more sustainable transport system. Using case studies and new data, the reports, carried out by consultancy Systra for the International Union of Railways (UIC), also demonstrates the benefits of high speed rail in terms of speed, reliability, comfort and safety.