Road transport: distribution of permits for heavy goods vehicles travelling in Switzerland

PURPOSE: establishment of a Community system for the allocation of transport authorisations for Member States' heavy goods vehicles circulating in Switzerland. CONTENT: a political agreement was reached between Switzerland and the Community regarding a system of rules concerning freight and passenger transport by rail and road. In particular, it is planned to grant Union transporters, for a transitional period, a quantity of authorisations ('heavy goods vehicle' authorisations) permitting trucks of over 28 tonnes to circulate on Swiss territory. These authorisations would enable Community transporters to make use of vehicles that respect EC weight limits until Switzerland aligns itself completely with the European standards in 2005 (see also procedure AVC990105 on the terms and conditions of the agreement between the EC and Switzerland on the liberalisation of land-based transport). As a result of this agreement, for the year 2000, a total of 250,000 'heavy goods vehicle' authorisations will be provided; this total will rise to 300,000 in 2002 and the 400,000 in 2004. From 2001 until 2004, the authorisations would be open to 34 tonne trucks (with an authorised maximum of 40 tonnes). Specific terms and conditions are provided for trucks circulating empty or with low loads (reduced charges). This proposal for a Regulation seeks to set at Community level the allocation of these 'heavy goods vehicle' authorisations among the Member States in order to comply with the political agreement reached with Switzerland. These authorisations will be allocated among the Member States according to their share in the main transport flows (bilateral traffic with and transit traffic through Switzerland), with a minimum number of 1,500 authorisations per country per year. It will be up to the Member States to allocate their share of authorisations among the transport companies on their territory. The proposal outlines the Community method of allocation of authorisations both for heavy goods vehicles and those travelling empty. It also makes provision for the gathering of statistics on heavy goods traffic flows in the Alpine Area on the basis of which the Commission will draw up a new allocation if the number of authorisations differs by more than 5% (and by at least 500 authorisations) in comparison to the number currently estimated. Lastly, it is envisaged to establish a specific committee the objective of which would be to modify, if necessary, the allocation of authorisations based on available Alpine statistics.�