Intermodality and intermodal freight transport: implementation of the action programme

The committee adopted the report by Adriana POLI BORTONE (UEN, I) on the Commission communication. It pointed out that intermodality was a key factor in restoring a balance between the various transport systems and called on the Commission to continue its efforts to achieve the same conditions of competition for the various modes of transport by common charging rules for the allocation of infrastructure and external costs to transport users. The Member States, for their part, should aim for an equally high tax burden on all modes of transport. The committee congratulated the Commission on the setting-up of the Transport Intermodality Task Force and called for intermodal transport infrastructure to be included in plans for the use of the Structural Funds and for intermodal investment projects to be adequately represented within co-financing initiatives for the trans-European transport networks (TEN-T). It also underlined the importance of new technologies in helping to develop integrated information and management systems and standardised administrative procedures. There was support for the establishment of an electronic market for intermodal freight transport allowing transport users to order their preferred services online. The committee also wanted priority to be given to developing trans-European rail freight corridors operating in an intermodal environment. The railway sector should not remain "the weak link in the chain" in intermodal transport. Lastly, the report emphasised the importance of short sea shipping as an environmentally friendly and safe alternative to road transport and called for funding and support measures to promote it.�