A Green Recovery Plan continues to be necessary

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) welcomes the European Commission’s intentions to “boost … rail travel and clean mobility in our cities and regions” through a reinforced long-term budget (MFF) and a recovery plan, presented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on 27 May. However, it is key over the coming weeks that greater detail and ambition are shown for green and sustainable transport. While the maintenance of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for transport budget is a positive signal, it is not sufficient for an overall shift to green mobility. 

CER Executive Director Libor Lochman said: “CER believes that the recovery instrument proposed by the Commission yesterday should enable movement towards green mobility, and ensure that the improvements in air quality for cities are maintained. CER therefore calls upon the European Council in its discussions on the MFF and recovery fund to reinforce public transport such as rail to match citizens’ ambition for a more sustainable society.”