Download - Unife

1. IntrODUCtIOn -
UnIFE’S VALUE SYStEm
Rail is the greenest and safest mode of transport. However,
despite its obvious benefits, rail today is performing
at a level lower than should be expected. It still has
great potential that needs to be unleashed in order to
meet two key objectives set in the Commission’s Transport
White Paper published in March 2011:
• 30% of road freight over 300 km should shift to other modes such as
rail or waterborne transport by 2030, and more than 50% by 2050,
facilitated by efficient and green freight corridors. To meet this goal
will also require appropriate infrastructure to be developed.
• By 2050, complete a European high-speed rail network. Triple the
length of the existing high-speed rail network by 2030 and maintain
a dense railway network in all Member States. By 2050 the
majority of medium-distance passenger transport should go by
rail.
“Rail is the greenest and
safest mode of transport.”
This briefing contains information on the key transport policy dossiers
that will be discussed during the Irish Presidency of the European
Council (part 2) and it explains important initiatives to which UNIFE
would like to draw the attention of the Irish Presidency (part 3).
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