Drivers and jobs at the heart of road transport reform

The road sector is suffering from a lack of inter-operability of tolling systems, a lack of cross-border infrastructure investments and unfair competition. In a Resolution to be voted in the European Parliament today, the EPP Group calls on the European Commission to address these issues in the upcoming proposals for the road package expected at the end of the month.

EPP Group Transport Spokesman Wim van de Camp said: “We should stop taking our transport companies and jobs in the transport sector for granted and realise that without a competitive, efficient and fair road strategy, the potential of Europe’s internal market is severely limited. This harms consumers, the environment and the millions of jobs that depend on a dynamic transport sector.”

One of the important challenges in the long-awaited legislative package will be to find a new balance between improved protection of drivers and the flexibility for companies to adapt to changing markets. Van de Camp continued: "We see a need to reinforce the protection of drivers’ working conditions. However, we will reject attempts to set up a so-called road agency to compensate for the lack of enforcement in Member States. The protection of drivers should not only be a concern for the EU, Member States need to take their responsibility as well."

The EPP Group has, on several occasions, expressed its concern regarding the delay of this important package. It will be a major challenge for all groups concerned to finalise these revisions by the end of this mandate.