Trenitalia reaps criticism from ERFA and Cargo Rail Europe
Railway associations predict shift of dangerous goods transportations to the road in Italy
The Trenitalia cargo railway reaps harsh criticism for its announcement of abandoning dangerous goods transport in the Italian single wagon network from 1 April 2010. The two railway associations ERFA and Cargo Rail Europe are watching this with great concern. This way rail cargo transport will loose its attractiveness in Italy, but also in other countries of the north-south corridor, they say alarmingly in a joint press release. Because Trenitalia has a monopoly position in single wagon transport via the connecting line in Italy, this would have been the only alternative to the road for customers and shippers. But this was very limited due to the tightened dangerous goods regulations for trips through road tunnels in the European Union, effective since 1 January 2010, they state in the release. From ERFA and CRE’s point of view the shipping industry is facing practically impossible tasks of dangerous goods forwarding. Investments into tracks and handling terminals would be destroyed with the stroke of a pen. Both associations thus remind Italy’s government of its statement after the Mont-Blanc accident, to shift cargo transport to the railway on the long term. Shifting transportations back from the rail to the road would also have negative impacts on the targets set in the environment and transport policy of the EU. Both associations have therefore requested the European Commission to intervene actively against Trenitalia’s decision and find solutions together with all parties concerned, to keep dangerous goods transport in the Italian single wagon traffic in the future as well. Quelle: Österreichische Verkehrszeitung |