_2.png)
photo: CER/Executive Vice-President Fitto pictured with members of the Freedom to Stay Coalition. Left to right: Mihai Chirca (Vice-Chair UITP EU Committee), Valeria Ronzitti (Secretary General SGI Europe), Raffaele Fitto, and Alberto Mazzola (CER Executive Director)
The European Commission’s upcoming 'Right to Stay' Strategy is putting new attention on regional inequality and access to essential services. Europe’s railway sector says mobility must be part of the answer.
Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) has welcomed the launch of a public consultation on the European Commission’s forthcoming Right to Stay Strategy, describing rail connectivity as a key factor in helping people remain in the regions where they live.
Read more
PKP Cargo has reported a return to profit following a year of restructuring under court supervision. The results point to a significant…
Announced by Raffaele Fitto, the initiative is intended to address the economic and social challenges that push people to leave their communities in search of opportunities elsewhere. CER argues that reliable and affordable mobility services are essential if the strategy is to succeed.
The concept builds on ideas outlined in Enrico Letta’s report Much More Than a Market, which points out that freedom of movement within the EU should remain a choice rather than an economic necessity. According to CER, railways play a direct role in supporting that "freedom to stay" by connecting people to jobs, education and services within their own regions.
Rail as an Economic and Social Link
CER says rail transport provides more than mobility alone. Besides supporting daily commuting and tourism, the sector contributes around €247 billion in gross value added to the EU economy and supports more than 3.1 million jobs.
The association also focuses on rail’s role during periods of economic uncertainty and volatile fuel prices, pointing to its energy efficiency and accessibility compared with car-dependent transport systems.
CER is part of the newly formed Freedom to Stay Coalition alongside other providers of essential public services gathered through SGI Europe and the European Parliament Intergroup on Services of General Interest and the Social Economy. The coalition is calling for stronger territorial cohesion and better public investment across Europe.
Read more
Trafikverket plans to significantly reduce infrastructure access charges for rail freight operators. At the same time, fees for passenger operators are…
Calls for Long-term Rail Funding
While supporting the Commission’s strategy, CER warns that ambitions around regional connectivity cannot be achieved without stable long-term investment. The association says underfunding continues to limit rail development and directly affects the level of services authorities can provide under public service obligations.
CER is urging the EU to make full use of financial instruments under the next Multiannual Financial Framework, including the Connecting Europe Facility, the European Competitiveness Fund and National and Regional Partnership Plans. The organisation also points to the importance of digitalisation, interoperability and the expansion of high-speed rail links in strengthening regional and cross-border accessibility across Europe.
CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said railways are often taken for granted despite their role in keeping communities connected and economically active. He added that the sector hopes the forthcoming strategy will recognise mobility services as a central element of regional opportunity and cohesion.
Source: CER