Activites

• 1999/07/30 Final act published in Official Journal
• 1999/04/15 Debate in Parliament
  • Debate in Parliament
  • T4-0340/1999 summary

    The European Parliament adopted its resolution on infrastructure charging drafted by Ms. Barbara Schmidbauer (D, PES). The Parliament welcomes the Commission's plan for a uniform system for all forms of transport based on the user pays principle. It calls on the Commission to take the following points into account in the directives it submits : - if possible to include car traffic in the charging system to avoid a distortion of competition between the individual modes of transport, to distribute costs fairly among all road users and to ensure the more efficient use of road infrastructure, while ensuring that socially disadvantaged and/or disabled people are not unreasonably penalised by charges, or are the subject of compensatory measures; if this cannot be achieved on the basis of the marginal social cost, the Commission shopuld make new proposals for ways of including private car traffic (e.g. through mineral oil tax). - a charging system for all road users taking into account use of environmentally-friendly technology, encouraging the use in each case of the mode of transport with the least environmental impact, and promoting where possible the use of local public transport. - in air transport : taxing kerosene within the framework of the international civil aviation agreements; in sea and air transport : taxing diesel and heating oil and using biofuels and bio-greases for pleasure boats; in both forms of transport : minimum quality standards for these fuels. - ensuring the provision of a basic level of mobility for all members of society, in particular in sparsely populated and peripheral regions.�

• 1999/03/16 Vote in committee, 1st reading/single reading
  • A4-0111/1999
• 1998/10/23 Committee referral announced in Parliament, 1st reading/single reading
• #2119
• 1998/10/01 Council Meeting
  • 2119
• 1998/07/22 Non-legislative basic document published
  • COM(1998)0466 summary

    PURPOSE: this White Paper proposes a phased approach to a common transport infrastructure charging framework in the EU. CONTENT: this White Paper explains how infrastructure charging reform can solve many of the transport sector's problems, and help develop European transport services. It has evolved out of the discussions on the 1993 Commission White Paper on "The future development of the common transport policy", the 1995 Commission Green Paper "Towards fair and efficient pricing in transport", the 1996 report of the high level group on infrastructure charging and the 1998 report of the high level group on infrastructure charging. The great diversity of infrastructure charging systems across modes of transport and Member States undermines the efficiency and sustainability of Europe's transport system. This situation gives rise to significant distortions of competition within and between modes, often on the basis of the nationality of the transport provider. That is why the Commission considers that a gradual and progressive harmonisation of charging principles in all major commercial modes of transport is required. It is proposed that the charging systm be based on the "user pays" principle - i.e. all users of transport infrastructure should pay for the costs, including environmental and other external impacts, they impose, at, or as close as possible to the point of use. The Commission proposes a progressive three-phase approach to implementation, to be accompanied by an advisory committee from Member States experts and with the full involvement of all stakeholders: - phase one (1998-2000) would involve seeking agreement on methodologies for measuring marginal costs and promoting the idea of charging at point of use. Charges up to average costs would generally be accepted; - phase two (2001-2004) would involve adapting particular charges better to reflect the new approach and to harmonise charging systems between modes. In this phase, it is proposed that charges should in general be set at total social marginal costs, that is marginal infrastructure and external costs; - phase three (beyond 2004) would be to further implement harmonised charging principles, both in terms of the marginal cost basis and the consistency of cost estimation. The level of Community wide charges for externalities should also be reviewed and mandatory charging structures, but not levels, for local externalities could also be considered. Hence, the Commission's proposed three-phased approach to fair and efficient charging in transport would ensure that an efficient, cost related approach is taken to charging for infrastructure use, in all Member States, and across modes.�

Documents

• Non-legislative basic document published: COM(1998)0466
• Debate in Council: 2119
• Committee report tabled for plenary, single reading: A4-0111/1999
• Debate in Parliament: Debate in Parliament
• Decision by Parliament, 1st reading/single reading: T4-0340/1999

History

(these mark the time of scraping, not the official date of the change)