Railway PRO June

the railway business magazine

Year VIII ■ No. 2.6. (96) ■ 2013

Increase of transport costs prevents economic development

Railway PRO

Croatia, on the road to railway reform Mandatory tender procedures for public service contracts

Mass Transportation

Журнал железнодорожный бизнес

Public transport is a major ingredient of the city life

Interview with Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General Общественный транспорт является существенной составляющей городской жизни Интервью с Генеральный секретарь МСОТ Алан Флауш

editor’s note 1

T

he 60th edition of the UITP Congress, organised in one of the world’s financial capitals, Geneva, has recently come to an end. A host city with many international organisations developed by the UNO which knows how to move a comprehensive public transport mechanism aimed to link the suburbs to the city centre, the airport and, last but not least, the exhibition centre. Located at the border with France, Geneva has known in time how to integrate the ultra-peripheral French space into the Swiss conurbation.

Public transport vehicles link the SwissFrench area which could thus increase its living standards by attracting many tourists (for business or leisure) and specialized labour force which don’t depend on the existence of ultra-central residential areas, but scattered in a picturesque environment.

It is a “metropolitan” public transport which permitted a horizontal development, rather than a vertical one.

So, it is obvious that such an environment could not host but talks about public

transport sustainability and the relation between public authorities and transport operators.

The endless years of crisis have left marks in the budgets of public transport operators, especially in developing countries. Often seen as a necessary evil by the authorities, public transport is pushed into the arms of a sort of savage economic liberalism, underestimating its role of growth instrument in the city or region.

The discussions dedicated to financing systems, together with those on the activity in Central and Eastern Europe, have emphasized this risk which threatens on the one hand the financial health of operators and on the other hand the people’s mobility right. Regulation structures which permit semi-pirate activities and the cut of network exploitation funds lead to poorer fleets of vehicles and the obligation of limiting the area covered by mandatory public services.

In this context, it was interesting to follow the dialogue of the large

international operators with different public authorities (including European), on the opening of public transport markets, either through liberalisation or through competitive tenders.

It lacks a single vision and however, a leitmotiv can be seen gravitating around the idea of drafting flexible contracts with vision for the future that would permit adaptation to market dynamics, while guaranteeing the financing of this important activity.

Unfortunately, a standard universally accepted is difficult to draft as regards both costs and direct revenues which will continue to deepen the gap between prodeveloped cities and pro-public transport cities (maybe, even richer, but not always) and other cities which will leave their citizens to face the traffic fluctuations and high costs imposed by motorised individual transport.

Is public transport financially sustainable?

Issue published with the support of Romanian Railway Industry Association & Club Feroviar – The Railway Business Club

Журнал издаётся при поддержке Асоциации Железнодорожной Промышленности и Club Feroviar – ЖД Клуб Деловых Людей

Является ли общественный транспорт финансово устойчивой деятельностью? Недавно закончился 60-й Всемирный конгресс МСОТ, который состоялся в одной из финансовых столиц мира - Женева. Принимающий город располагает офисами многочисленных международных организаций, разработанных ООН, которые способны задействовать целый механизм общественного транспорта, призванного соединить периферию с центром, аэропортом и, не в последнюю очередь, с выставочным центром. Город Женева расположен на границе с Францией, и он сумел интегрировать ультрапериферийное французское пространство в швейцарскую агломерацию. Линии общественного транспорта соединяют 24 часа в сутки швейцарско-французское пространство, которое сумело повысить свой уровень жизни, привлекая многочисленных туристов (в целях ведения бизнеса или для развлечений) и квалифицированную рабочую силу, которые не зависят от наличия ультрацентральных жилых помещений. Жилые кварталы разбросаны в живописном районе. «Метрополитенный» общественный транспорт способствовал скорее всего развитию по горизонтали, нежели чем по вертикали. И в таких условиях задается вопрос: не

естественно ли говорить о финансовой устойчивости общественного транспорта и об отношениях между государственными органами и транспортными операторами? Годы затяжного кризиса начали откладывать свой отпечаток на бюджеты операторов общественного транспорта, особенно в развивающихся странах. Общественный транспорт часто рассматривается властями как неизбежное зло, и он впоследствии сталкивается с некоторым диким экономическим либерализмом, тем самым теряется из виду его роль инструмента для развития города или региона. Обсуждение систем финансирования, наряду с обсуждением деятельности Центральной и Восточной Европы, подчеркнуло наличие опасности, угрожающей с одной стороны финансовому здоровью операторов, и с другой стороны праву людей на мобильность. Структуры, регулирующие деятельность рынков, позволяющие вести полу-пиратскую деятельность, наряду с сокращением выделения средств, необходимых для эксплуатации сетей, приводят к деградации парка транспортных средств и к необходимостью ограничить охват

обязательных общественных услуг. В этом контексте интересно было отслеживать диалог крупных международных операторов с различными государственными органами (в том числе с европейскими) на тему открытия рынков общественного транспорта, либо через либерализацию, либо через конкурентоспособные тендеры. В этом отношении не хватает общего видения, несмотря на тот факт, что можно считать, что имеется некий лейтмотив, вращающийся вокруг идеи разработки гибких контрактов с видением будущего, позволяющих адаптироваться к динамике рынка, при этом гарантируя финансирование этой важной работы. К сожалению, трудно разработать единый общепризнанный стандарт в отношении прямых расходов и доходов, и это приводит к дальнейшему углублению различий трещину между городами, ориентированными на развитие и на общественный транспорт (возможно, эти города богаче, но не всегда) и остальными городами, граждане которых оставлены на произвол колебаний движения и высокой стоимости перевозок на индивидуальном транспорте с двигателем.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

2 cOntent MARKET DEVELOPMENT

РАЗВИТИЕ РЫНКА

46 26

Rail stations, as multifunctional urban hubs Запуск железнодорожных проектов обеспечивает Сербии место среди государств Европейского союза

The criteria for the station or stations located on a high-speed network in a given city must consider the optimal requirements of city and citizens, as well as those specific to the railway system. Критерии для размещения вокзала или вокзалов для высокоскоростных линий в городах должны учитывать оптимальные требования города и граждан, а также специфические требования железнодорожной системы.

POLICIES & STRATEGIES

48 The main five barriers to the deployment of sustainable transport MARKET DEVELOPMENT

18 Russian high-speed projects encourage the rail industry to develop products the railway business magazine

Railway PRO

ISSN - 1841 - 4672

Editor’s note

1 Is public transport financially sustainable?

POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Publisher: Editura de Transport & Logistică S.R.L. 30, Virgiliu Street, Sector 1 Bucharest, postal code: 010881 Tel.:+4 021 224 43 85; +4 021 224 43 87 Mobile: +40 721 723 724 Fax: +4 021 224 43 86 E-mail: editors@railwaypro.com Web-site: www.railwaypro.com Editors: Elena Ilie elena.ilie@railwaypro.com Pamela Luică pamela.luica@railwaypro.com Production and photo editor: Petru Mureşan Department of translations: Alina Vuţulicu Paula Bădescu Gentil Traduceri SRL Graphic design: Petru Mureşan Layout and DTP: Petru Mureşan petru.muresan@railwaypro.com Photo: Radu Drăgan Marketing Manager: Cristina Trifon cristina.trifon@railwaypro.com Advertising Enquiries: advertise@railwaypro.com www. railwaypro.com/advertise

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

16 Strategy on adaptation to climate change – another challenge in European policies

43 Istanbul public transport is ready for the Olympic Games 2020 44 Increase of transport costs prevents economic development 46 Rail stations, as multifunctional urban hubs 50 Individual electric

cannot be a threat 22 Progress with the Danube transport for rail urban transport Strategy 52 Integrated ticketing for 30 Franchise or concession smart cities agreements reduce costs and improve productivity 56 Iran – Armenia railway to facilitate new trade 32 Single railway transport is opportunities in the region essential 57 FPC becomes member 34 Croatia, the 28th member of the European state of the European Union system on rail passenger transport information services 35 Croatia prepares to access European funds 60 Saudi Arabia has plans to build 9,900 km of railways 36 Croatia, on the road to railway reform metropolitan

38 Priority investments aim at modernising Corridor X 47 Period for granting financing within the “Horizon 2020” is reduced by 100 days

Leaders

ЛИДЕРЫ

Public transport is a major ingredient of the city life

Interview with Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General

Общественный транспорт является существенной составляющей городской жизни Интервью с Генеральный секретарь МСОТ Алан Флауш Four years after the launch of the UITP strategy on doubling the public transport market share by 2025, PTx2, results are visible, as more and more countries are trying to adapt their lifestyle, investments and policies to increasing and developing public transport. The 60th edition of the International UITP Congress (Geneva, 26- 30 May 2013), attracted more participants (+34%), from 78 countries. Четыре года спустя после запуска стратегии МСОТ об удвоении доли рынка общественного транспорта к 2025 году - PTx2, результаты не заставляют себя ждать. Всё больше государств пытаются адаптировать свой образ жизни, инвестиции и политики для роста и развития общественного транспорта.

55 Tehran Metro seeks financing sources LEX

20 Trilateral negotiations with happy ending: agreement on a unified TEN-T network 24 Mandatory tender procedures for public service contracts mobility

39 The current situation of public transport is no longer an option 53 Integration and coordination of public transport policies Products&technologies

51 Intelligent technologies 40 Recent estimates show that the decision on free public play major role in new connections and intermodality transport services in Tallinn was the right thing to do Statistics 54 Tirana plans to develop 58 Railway Statistics two tram lines

cOntent 3 Редакционная статья

ПОЛИТИКА И СТРАТЕГИЯ

РАЗВИТИЕ РЫНКА

метрополиТАН

46 Вокзалы могут являться 54 Тирана планирует 36 Хорватия на пути железнодорожной реформы многофункциональными построить две трамвайные узлами города линии 38 Приоритетные 50 Индивидуальный 55 Метро в Тегеране инвестиции касаются электрический транспорт не находится в поисках модернизации Коридора Х может представлять собой источников финансирования ПОЛИТИКА И СТРАТЕГИЯ для транспорта на 47 Срок предоставления угрозой закон рельсах 16 Стратегия адаптации к финансирования в рамках 20 Успешные трёхсторонние 52 Интегрированный климатическим изменениям стратегии «Горизонт 2020» тикетинг для умных городов переговоры: соглашение по сокращён на 100 дней - другой вызов для унифицированию сети TEN-T европейской политики 56 Железнодорожное 48 STOA : пять препятствий, сообщение Иран - Армения 24 Процедуры стоящих на пути развития 22 Дунайская стратегия будет создавать новые обязательного тендере на устойчивого транспорта регистрирует прогресс возможности для торговли в государственные контракты регионе службы РАЗВИТИЕ РЫНКА 30 Франчайзинг или 57 Компания ФПК (Россия) концессионное соглашение мобильность стала членом европейской обусловливают сокращение 18 Своими проектами системы информации, высокоскоростного 39 Сохранение нынешнего затрат и оптимизацию движения Россия поощряет связанной с услугами положения общественного производительности пассажирских перевозок железнодорожную транспорта не является промышленность развивать 60 Саудовская Аравия жизнеспособным вариантом 32 Необходимо оказать содействие осуществлению новую продукцию планирует построить продуктов и технологий единого железнодорожного около 9,900 километров 43 Общественный транспорта железнодорожных линий 51 Умные технологии транспорт в Стамбуле готов метрополиТАН играют жизненно к проведению Олимпийских 34 Хорватия - 28-е важную роль для новых игр 2020 года 40 Недавние оценки государство Европейского методы сообщения и показывают, что Решение о союза интермодальности 44 Увеличение предоставлении бесплатного 35 Хорватия готовится транспортных общественного транспорта СТАТИСТИКА к усвоению европейских расходов препятствует в Таллине оказалось 62 СТАТИСТИКА фондов экономическому развитию правильным

1

Является ли общественный транспорт финансово устойчивой деятельностью?

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

news 5

could cancel the privatisation of the national freight division BDZ Cargo, as the launch of the process would endanger many jobs, announced the new Minister of Transport, Danail Papazov.

However, the new Minister pointed out that no conclusive decision has been made yet, adding that the situation should be thoroughly analyzed.

In November 2012, Bulgaria’s Privatization Agency launched a second privatization procedure for BDZ’s Freight Services, after the first one failed. At the end of April, the Agency announced another extension of the deadline for submitting binding offers for BDZ Cargo, the new deadline being set for 10 June. The decision of the agency was the results of demands from the companies selected to participate in the tender. The prior deadline, also an extension of the initial deadline, was 7 June. The short list for the privatisation of BDZ Cargo included Grup Feroviar Român, Bulgarian Cargo Express, Balkan Financial Services and DonauFinanz Transport und Beteiligung.

Vladimir Putin wants high-speed lines between Moscow and Kazan/Adler Russia: Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered to work out projects to build high-speed railways to link Moscow to Kazan and Moscow to Adler.

“It is necessary to plan everything in detail. A clear financial and organizational plan on the implementation of all of these projects should be formulated”, declared Vladimir Putin.

The high-speed railway will help cut the travel time between Moscow and Kazan to three and a half hours from 11 and a half, Putin said. The travel time between Moscow and Adler will decrease to eight hours from around 24 hours.

Budapest- Sarajevo direct connection, resumed International: An agreement reached by state secretary for foreign affairs and external economic relations Péter Szijjártó in Sarajevo paves the way on re-establishing a direct passenger rail link between Budapest and Sarajevo. Direct service between the cities was halted last December. The exact moment of the beginning of services has not been revealed.

HZ Infrastruktura tenders the modernisation of Zagreb-Dugo Selo section Croatia: HZ Infrastruktura invited bids for a HRK 250 Million (EUR 33 Million) contract for reconstruction on the ZagrebDugo Selo rail track.

The deadline for submission of bids is July 4.

Czech Railways interested in PKP Cargo on conditions Poland: Ceske Drahy Drahy will watch the privatization process of Poland’s rail cargo carrier PKP Cargo and will hinge

SERBIA: The Serbian Parliament has adopted a new railway law that will enable competition in this sector and will complete the reorganisation of Zeleznice Srbije. Under the law, ZS will be divided into an infrastructure manager and a transport operator.

At the same time, the law regulates the procedures for purchasing railway routes from the infrastructure manager and gives the railway directorate wider authorities concerning the adoption of regulations on railway and intermodal transportation. Under the bill, the directorate will be in charge of

participation in the IPO on financial and legal conditions.

“We will analyze the transaction in terms of legal and financial conditions. We will meet with PKP and PKP Cargo representatives to find out about the terms and what share the owner will put up for sale”, declared Petr Zaluda, CEO Ceske Drahy.

Asked if his company was interested in PKP Cargo’s IPO, Zaluda said he would need to consider but “it certainly wouldn’t make sense to take 1-2%”.

taking measures to prevent unfair competition and discrimination, and will also handle appeals of applicants for train routes. The bill also envisages the adoption of a national railway infrastructure program.

photo: en.wikipedia.org

BULGARIA: The Bulgarian Government

Authorities amend railway law

corridor that links Russia and Belarus with Latvia’s ports on the Baltic Sea. The modernisation of the corridor will increase its freight throughput capacity.

ZS signs deal with RZD on rail projects

photo: www.pkp.pl

New Government could cancel BDZ Cargo sale

NIB credits LDz for rail investments International: The Nordic Invest-

ment Bank (NIB) and Latvia’s state railway company Latvijas dzelzcels have signed a new loan totalling EUR 17 Million for the upgrade of a railway section in the country’s east-west transport corridor.

The loan will be granted on a period of 10 years.

The company will use the loan to build a second track on the 52-kilometre SkriveriKrustpils section of the east-west railway Сербия: Сербский парламент принял новых закон о железных дорогах, который будет способствовать развитию конкуренции в данном секторе и будет завершать реорганизацию компании Железнице Сърбие. Болгария: Правительство Болгарии может отказаться от приватизации грузового направления БДЖ Карго. Россия: Президент России Владимир Путин призвал к разработке проектов по реализации высокоскоростных линий между Москвой и Казанью и между Москвой и Адлером. В мире: Венгерские власти и власти

Serbia: Railway company Zeleznice Srbije has signed a contract with RZD on the construction of railway infrastructure and delivery of trains. The contract will be financed out of the USD 800 Million credit (EUR 619 Million) that Russia granted to Serbia.As part of the contract, units of Russian Railways, RZD, and other Russian companies will act as contractors and Serbian companies as subcontractors. The loan agreement was signed in Moscow in January.

The Serbian side will also contribute with funds for these projects whose total cost will amount to over USD 900 Million (EUR 695 Million).

Kazakhstan to deliver locomotives in Estonia International: Kazakhstan Temir Zholy and Estonian company AS Vopak E.O.S. Ltd. have signed the contract for the acquisition of 15 TE33A locomotives manufactured in Kazakhstan. The locomotives are manufactured by JSC Lokomotiv Kurastyru Zauyty.

Negotiations for this contract began in 2010 and in December 2011 KTZ delivered a TE33A locomotive to be tested for five months on the Estonian infrastructure. Боснии и Герцеговины договорились возобновить прямую связь Будапешт Сараево. Хорватия: HZ Infrastruktura объявила тендер на заключение контракта на реконструкцию отсека Загреб-Дуго Село. Польша: Компания Ceske Drahy будет отслеживать приватизацию железнодорожного оператора по грузовым перевозкам PKP Cargo и будет ставить условия для участия в IPO. В мире: Северный инвестиционный банк и латвийская государственная железнодорожная компания Latvijas Dzelzcels пописали соглашение о кредитовании.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

6 news IDB to finance construction of Turkmenistan-TajikistanAfghanistan railway

Authorities launch major projects for rail infrastructure and procurement of vehicles

Third Bosphorus bridge to have a railway line

photo: http://en.cumhuriyet.com

Turkey: The USD 4.5 Billion new bridge to be built over Istanbul’s Bosphorus will be named after Yavuz Sultan Selim, one of the prominent and notorious sultans in Ottoman history. The 59-meter-wide bridge – the widest in the world – will be the third one to connect the Asian and European sides of Istanbul. The tender was then awarded to a consortium consisting of the Turkish IC İçtaş and the Italian Astaldi that submitted the bid with the shortest term of construction and operation.

The bridge is to be constructed under a build-operate-transfer model, in which private companies build the bridge and will have the right to collect tolls from vehicles using the bridge for a period of time before handing the bridge over to the state.

The consortium is expected to complete the construction of the bridge in 36 months, at a total cost of about USD 4.5 Billion, after the contract is signed. “The bridge should be ready for use by the end of 2015,” Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yıldırım had said earlier. Украина: Министерство инфраструктуры Украины планирует провести модернизацию железнодорожной инфраструктуры и запустить производство локомотивов для грузовых перевозок на заводе «Лугансктепловоз». Сербия: Компания Zeleznice Srbije подписала контракт с РДЖ на строительство железнодорожной инфраструктуры и поставку поездов. Россия: В соответствии с планом, разработанным Министерством www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

UKRAINE: The Ukrainian Ministry of Infrastructure plans to upgrade the railway infrastructure and to launch the production of freight locomotives at the production facility LuganskTeplovoz next year.

According to Minister Volodymyr Kozak, a large part of the fleet of electric locomotives needs replacing as it includes vehicles manufactured almost 60 years ago.

“There is no plant to produce electric locomotives in Ukraine. We have negotiated with the CEO of TransMashholding and the CEO of LuhanskTeplovoz to organise the implementation of the construction project of these locomotives in Lugansk. If the decision is adopted, then the production will be initiated starting with the half of next year”, said the minister.

Also as part of the modernization in 2013, the electrification of railway lines will amount to UAH 8.3 Billion (EUR 791 Million) for a total length of 493 km, while the modernization of railway lines will amount to UAH 986.6 Million (EUR 9.4 Million). Moreover, authorities plan to buy 5994 freight cars for a total of UAH 4.3 Billion (EUR 410 Million).

photo: en.wikipedia.org

International: The Islamic Development Bank will finance implementation of the Turkmenistan-Tajikistan-Afghanistan railway project. The statement came from the bank’s president Ahmed Mohammed Ali, who took part in the 38th meeting of the IDB Board of Governors in Dushanbe.

“This is a very important regional project.

We are sympathetic to the implementation of such projects,” Ali said.

According to the bank’s president, Turkmenistan has launched the construction of the railway on its territory. In the near future, the IDB managers will sit down at the negotiating table to discuss funding for construction of the railway on the territory of Tajikistan, Ali said.

According to the Turkish Transport Ministry, the new bridge, will be built to the north of the two existing ones, between the Garipçe district on the European side and the Poyrazköy district on the Asian side. Unlike the two existing bridges, which only carry road vehicles, the new bridge will also include rail tracks. The bridge will be 1.408 meters long and stretch over two levels. The upper level will have eight traffic lanes, four in each direction. A railway line will be on the lower level. The project will connect to the city’s new airport – one of the largest in the world – which is expected to be ready in 2016 and will serve 150 million passengers.

Railways of Moldova increased cargo transportation volume by 26% Moldova: In the first four months of 2013, Railways of Moldova increased cargo transportation volume by 25.9% year-on-year.

In this period, the cargo turnover of railway transport grew by 25.5% to 92.9 million tonne-kilometres.

438,000 tonnes of grains (+62%) and 289,000 tonnes of ferrous metal (+15.6%) were carried.

plan of expanding the fields of operation of the Port of Saaremaa, which enables to service cargo ships in the port that was initially built for cruise ships.

AS Port of Tallinn commercial direction head Ahto Ader told the local press that the company is in negotiations over a contract with the first bigger client and expressed hope that cargo handling could be launched already in six months time.

The Port could handle 100,000 tonnes of goods a year but won’t reach that level in just one season.

Ader did not wish to reveal the potential key client’s name before the contract is concluded but said that it is a timber and wood processing company with very strong background that operates actively in Estonia and Finland and develops activities in Eastern Europe too.

The state-owned Port of Tallinn that manages the Saaremaa port has wanted to handle also cargo in the port for years but so far environmentalists and locals had blocked the plan.

Federal Passenger Company ensures rail and ferry transport services to Europe

International: The Mustjala authorities approved the detailed development

Russia: Federal Passenger Company, a subsidiary of RZD, has signed cooperation agreements with the two ferry companies Finnlines Plc. and Tallink Silja from Finland.

The cooperation agreement covers the organisation and development of joint international passenger, luggage and

экономического развития России, правительство планирует продать 5% акций РЖД до конца 2014 года. Турция: Третий мост через Босфор стоит 4,5 млрд. евро, а консорциум-победитель будет осуществлять проект, который будет сдан в эксплуатацию в 2015 году. В мире: Исламский банк развития (ИБР) будет финансировать реализацию проекта железной дороги Туркменистан - Таджикистан - Афганистан. Россия: Компания «Аэроэкспресс»

подписала договор с Группой Stadler Rail на поставку двухэтажных поездов. Договорная стоимость составляет 685 млн. евро. Республика Молдова: За первые четыре месяца 2013 года железные дороги Республики Молдова зарегистрировали увеличение объема перевозимых товаров на 25,9%. В мире: Власти Мустьялы (западная Эстония) утвердили план развития на расширение областей деятельности порта Сааремаа.

Estonia could inaugurate new freight traffic port

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Authorities plan to be a bridge between East and West Georgia: Georgia has a desire to become a bridge between the East and West, Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili said.

“The Georgian government has a strong desire to play a bridging role and develop a transit corridor between Asia and Europe.

This is in Georgia’s strategic interest.”

Ivanishvili stressed three priorities, namely, improving a transit infrastructure, creating a free business environment and fruitful cooperation with neighboring countries.

“Significant investments have been placed in the development of transport infrastructure,” he said. “Rail lines are being improved. A new Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway is under construction.”

Two companies shortlisted in the next phase of CFR Marfă privatisation Romania: After analysing the papers

photo: Club Feroviar

submitted in the sale of CFR Marfă, only two companies, Grup Feroviar Român and the consortium of Transferoviar Grup and Donau-Finanz GMBH were shortlisted in the next phase of the privatisation procedure. Potential buyers had the obligation to submit the bid containing the preliminary and non-binding offers as well as the comments on the contract framework.

Starting with 6 June 2013 the Privatisation Commission negotiated with every bidder included in the “short list” based on a schedule posted at the headquarters of the Romanian Ministry of Transport (MT).

Therefore, according to the Announcement, the Privatisation Commission of the Ministry of Transport will organise and hold clarification sessions with the potential buyers that submitted complete documents, the preliminary and non-binding offers and the comments on the sale-purchase contract respectively. To participate in the sealed bid, documents had to be submitted by 19 June at the latest. The privatisation of CFR MARFĂ takes place through a stake sale procedure through

В мире: Строительство первого железнодорожного моста между Россией и Китаем будет запущено во второй половине этого года Россия: Федеральная пассажирская компания подписала соглашения о сотрудничестве с двумя паромными компаниями из Финляндии - Finnlines Plc. и Tallink Silja. В мире: Казахстан Темир Жолы и эстонская компания AS Vopak EOS Ltd. подписан контракт на приобретение 15 локомотивов. Грузия: Грузия выразила желание стать

связующей платформой для налаживания отношений между Востоком и Западом. Об этом объявила премьер-министр Грузии Бидзина Иванишвили. Румыния: Для приватизации ЧФР Марфа, все три компании - Груп Феровиар Ромын, Омнитракс и ассоциация Трансферовиар Груп и Donau-Finanz GMBH участвуют во втором этапе процедуры закупки. Белоруссия: ЕБРР предоставит кредит в размере 14,5 млн. евро на срок до 10 лет совместному предприятию, созданному СП установленном Stadler и Минским облисполкомом.

measures combined with pre-qualification criteria consisting in negotiation based on the preliminary and non-binding offers, followed by sealed bid for a stake of 51% in the social capital of the company.

government, which now holds 100% in the company, will retain its control as a result.

EBRD finances Belarus rolling stock production Belarus: The EBRD is providing EUR 14.5 Million under a loan of up to 10 years to a joint venture formed by Switzerland’s family-owned Stadler and the Minsk Region Executive Committee (MREC) as a minority shareholder.

The Belarus partner is contributing assets from the leading local manufacturer of trams and trolley-buses, Belkommunmash (BKM) whilst Stadler will bring private capital, as well the latest technologies and know-how for the production of trams, trolley-buses and passenger trains. 90 percent of its production will be exported outside Belarus in the CIS countries for urban, suburban and inter-regional markets.

EBRD funds will be used to build a facility for the construction of suburban and inter-regional passenger trains and trams near Minsk.

Government to sell first package of shares in RZD in 2014 Russia: According to the plan elaborated by the Russian Ministry of Economic Development, the government plans to sell 5% of the shares of RZD by the end of 2014 and 20% by 2016. The plan also includes the sale of 11% of the shares of VTB in 2015.

However, the general plan is not final, announced Olga Dergunova, director of the Federal State Property Management Agency.

The agency said in March that the privatization of Russian Railways is planned for 2014–2016, and the

Construction of rail bridge between Russia, China to start in 2013 International: Construction of the first railway bridge between Russia and China will begin in the second half of 2013, Russia’s Far East authorities said in a statement.

The 2.2-kilometer bridge over the Amur

photo: visual.rzd.ru

cargo transportation. The parties intend to create a package of services, including transporting passengers and their cars from Russia to Finland and then by sea to other European countries: Sweden, Poland, Germany, Latvia, Estonia. Passengers can simultaneously book and obtain a ticket for both the train and the ferry at ticket offices in Russia and to benefit from discounts.

The new service will be launched in July 2013.

Customs authorities of Kazakhstan and China elaborate strategic plan for 2014-2018 International: The customs authorities of Kazakhstan and China intend developing a strategic plan of cooperation for the period of 2014-2018. The aim of the document consists in creating conditions for the development of legitimate trade.

During a visit of the delegates of the Kazakh Customs Control Committee in China, the representatives of the two sides discussed about the methods for improving the exchange of information on the total volume of export-import operations between Kazakhstan and China.

In addition, an agreement was reached during the visit on the implementation of the project for the creation of a ‘green corridor’ for agricultural products between the checkpoints of Bakhty (Kazakhstan) and Pokitu (PRC) starting October 2013.

The parties also noted the successful start of operating the new railway border crossing at Altynkol-Horgos and expressed a willingness to further improve its infrastructure.

“The meeting also coordinated a technological scheme for the organisation and conducting of customs clearance and control of the Chongqing-Xinjiang-EuRiver will link Chinese and Russian towns of Tongjiang and Nizhneleninskoye.

The bridge will be used for iron ore deliveries to China.

The bridge’s capacity is projected at 5.2 million tonnes at the first stage and at 20 million tonnes at the second stage.

The timeline for the launch of the bridge was not provided.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

8 news EC finances project in Slovenia Slovenia: The European Commission has approved funds of EUR 166 Million of the Cohesion Fund for the modernisation of a line in Slovenia. The project is estimated at EUR 330 Million and involves

rope international rail transit route which will contribute to the development of container transport and transit potential in general”, the report said.

Aeroexpress and Stadler sign contract for delivery of double-deck trains Russia: Aeroexpress and the Swiss railway equipment manufacturer Stadler Rail Group have publicly signed a contract for the delivery of double-deck rolling stock in the Moscow City Administration.The contract, worth a total of EUR 685 million.

“Collaboration with Stadler aims to solve one of the most essential problems faced

by Aeroexpress today, which is an increase in carrying capacity. Aeroexpress passenger traffic is increasing from one year to the next by almost 20%, and introducing new double-deck trains is a logical solution, allowing us to not only significantly enlarge our trains’ seating capacity, but also provide our passengers with even greater comfort during their journey. The new double-deck Stadler trains, which should arrive in Russia as early as 2015, correspond to the highest international standards”, commented Alexey Krivoruchko, CEO of Aeroexpress.

the reconstruction, electrification and modernisation of a 160km section of the line between Pragersko junction and Hodos border crossing with Hungary.

Investments will increase the quality and competitiveness of railway freight transport, as well as the traffic speed.

EBRD and RDIF recommend G20 leaders to encourage private infrastructure investments International: EBRD and the Russian Director Investment Fund (RDIF) cohosted a round-table discussion on how to unlock private sector funding for the global infrastructure sector, helping to formulate recommendations for a meeting of G20 leaders later this year.

Governments needed to attract private capital to fund their infrastructure investments, a crucial element in fostering future economic growth.

The panel had highlighted three main areas that would form the basis of recommendations to the G20 Summit to be held in St Petersburg, Russia, on September 5-6.

These centred around the need to reduce restrictions on capital flows, “crowding in” the private sector and making infrastructure investments more efficient and productive via the introduction of best practices, in particular ensuring predictability for investors.

European experience enables Russia to avoid serious mistakes in the railway sector

photo: www.aeroexpress.ru

Russia: Vladimir Yakunin, President of Russian Railways, says that analysing Europe’s experience of rail reform will help Russia to avoid serious mistakes. “I am confident that the European experience is indicative, very valuable to us, and will help us to avoid serious mistakes.

In this regard, we have to consider the process of structural reform at Russian Railways. Today we are in the final stage of the sector’s reform and continue to work towards achieving a common position on the optimum model for operating railway transport,” said Vladimir Yakunin.

According to Yakunin, not only Russia is interested in the question of the economic feasibility and the construction of effective technological interaction between the infrastructure owner and carriers. Over the

The official signing of the contract between the companies is yet another important step towards realising this project after Aeroexpress revealed the results of the tender, held in February 2012, for supplying 172 double-deck railcars. By May 2016, the victorious Stadler shall deliver 118 railcars to Russia, according to a basic contract (16 4-railcar and 9 6-railcar train sets). Later on, a total of 54 railcars will be supplied to Russia according to an option. www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

В мире: Таможенные органы Республики Казахстан и Китая намереваются разработать стратегический план сотрудничества на период 2014-2018 гг. В мире: ЕБРР и Российский фонд прямых инвестиций (РФПИ) обсудили пути разблокирования средств частного сектора, выделенных на инфраструктуру сектора в глобальном масштабе. Россия: Президент РЖД Владимир Якунин заявил о том, что опыт Европы в сфере осуществления железнодорожной реформы позволит России избежать

past 15 years, more than 25 studies have been carried out which directly or indirectly address the desirability of separating railway infrastructure from transportation operations. In this regard, the results are indicative of the European study “Economic Effects of Vertical Separation in the Railway Sector”, which was commissioned by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies and published in 2012.

“The authors found no positive relationship between such a separation and an increase in freight volumes, or in the share of rail transport on the wider transport market. They also concluded that competition does not have a direct impact on improving the efficiency of railways and should not be an end in itself ”, said Yakunin.

Ukraine delivers cargo wagons to Azerbaijan International: Azovmash, the Ukrainian largest producer of freight railcars, will supply 252 tank wagons to Azerbaijani company АzМеКо, says Khidayat Sultanov, Director General of AzMeKo, without informing on the cost of the contract.

According to Russian agency InfolineAnalytics, the cost of a tank wagon is approximately USD 75,000, VAT excluded.

Therefore, the cost of the contract can reach USD 19 Million.

Spain interested in the tender for the modernisation of Gara de Nord Romania: During a meeting of Cristian Ghibu, State Secretary (Romania), and his Spanish counterpart Rafael Catala Polo, State Secretary for Infrastructure, the Spanish side has expressed interest to participate in the infrastructure projects of Romania.

In this context, Rafael Catala Polo said they were interested to consolidate the institutional collaboration through knowhow exchange, to deliver the Spanish expertise in the railway area, while launching their intention to participate in the tender for the project on the modernisation of Gara de Nord.

There have also been approached aspects related to transport investment projects that are of interest for the Spanish partners and new opportunities for developing the bilateral collaboration have been also presented. серьезных ошибок. В мире: Крупнейший производитель грузовых вагонов Украины “Азовмаш” поставит азербайджанской компании АzМеКо 252 вагона-цистерны. Словения: ЕК утвердила 166 млн. евро из Фонда сплочения на модернизацию одной линии в Словении. Румыния: Государственный секретарь Испании Рафаэль Катала Поло объявил, что его страна заинтересована в участии в тендере на модернизацию Северного вокзала (Бухарест).

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International: The President

of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov addressed the regional administration of the Lebap Velayat (region) with a number of instructions for the construction of the AtamyratYmamnazar railway. In May 2011, an intergovernmental framework agreement was signed on the construction of the 85 km railway line AtamyratYmamnazar (Turkmenistan) and the 38 km line between Akina and Andhoi in Afghanistan. The line could then then connect to Tajikistan via Shirkhan port of Kunduz province.

According to Turkmen government the report, it is expected that construction will be carried out by the Ministry of Railway Transport. About a month ago, Afghanistan proposed the construction of a railway line in Afghanistan on the Imamnazar-Akina route to Turkey.

The relevant negotiations were held in Ashgabat with participation of the authorized representatives of the two countries.

Rail Garant and Rusagrotrans will merge Russia: Rail Garant and Rusagrotrans have agreed on the basic terms of a merger agreement that will create Russia’s third largest freight rail operator, Kommersant reported. The deal is expected to be finalized this summer. The two companies will have 50% each in the new entity. The new company will control a total of 74,000 cars and could within two years attain an estimated EBITDA of RUB 30 Billion (EUR 700 Million) This would make it the third largest railway operator in the country.

Commission plans to support development of ‘smarter cities’ International: Under the European Commission’s leadership, a highprofile group of mayors and industry representatives has started to work towards making Europe’s cities ‘smarter’.

Vice Presidents Kallas and Kroes and Commissioner Oettinger hosted the first High Level meeting of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) “Smart Cities and Communities”. The challenges that cities and communities face in the quest for sustainability and quality of life are increasingly significant.

The EIP plans to support wide-scale deployment of innovative technologies in the areas of mobility management, energy generation, distribution and consumption, and information and communication technologies. For instance, road congestion costs Europe www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Council reaches agreement on rail interoperability International: The European Commission welcomes the progress achieved in the Transport Council today to enhance the quality and efficiency of Europe-wide rail services by removing remaining technical obstacles. Following the proposal of the Commission for the recast of the interoperability directive, the Transport Council adopted a “general approach” on new rules which will introduce a single European authorisation for placing railway vehicles on the EU market, and will reinforce the central role of the European Railway Agency.

The Commission’s proposal for the recast of the interoperability directive is part of the Fourth Railway Package adopted by the Commission in January 2013. The Council introduced some changes in the proposal, such us the concept of ‘area of use’ of a vehicle, a longer transitional period and the possibility for national safety authorities to issue authorisations for vehicles

about 1% of its GDP every year, and traffic jams are mostly located in urban areas. The deployment of ICT to better manage the flow of urban traffic or to facilitate the use of public transport would alleviate the problem.

Another example is the construction sector, which has the highest energy consumption in the EU (about 40%), and is the main contributor to GHG emissions. Better ICT-enabled management could mean up to 15% savings in energy consumption and 15% peak load reductions, resulting in up to 20% CO2 reduction.

Ukraine, Serbia signed intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in rail transport International:The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted a

В мире: В результате предложения Комиссии по пересмотру Директивы о взаимной совместимости, Транспортный совет принял “общий подход” к новым нормам, согласно которым будет введено единое европейское разрешение на введение железнодорожных транспортных средств на рынок ЕС и будет укреплена центральная роль Европейского железнодорожного агентства. В мире: Президент Туркменистана Гурбангулы Бердымухамедов призвал местную администрацию региона Лебап Велаят начать строительство железнодорожной линии АтамуратИмамназар. Линия может затем быть продолжена в сторону Таджикистана, через порт Ширхан, который находится в провинции Кундуз. В мире: Под руководством Европейской комиссии, группа высокопоставленных лиц, состоящая из европейских мэров и

operating in one Member State only. VicePresident Kallas emphasized the importance of a shorter transitional period, as the provisions are urgently needed to boost competitiveness and promote modal shift towards rail transport. He also underlined that deviations from the concept of a single EU-wide vehicle authorisation must be limited in time.

photo: SBB.ch

Turkmenistan supports the construction of railways in Afghanistan

resolution on signing an agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers and the Serbian government on cooperation in the field of rail transport. Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Volodymyr Kozak said that the implementation of the provisions of the proposed agreement would help improve the legal and contractual framework of UkrainianSerbian cooperation in the field of rail transport between the two countries, the press service of the Infrastructure Ministry reported. The agreement will help attract additional cargo in order to more fully use the potential of transport infrastructure of both countries. “In addition, the signing of the agreement will help improve cargo transportation between Ukraine and Serbia and therefore raise the safety standards of rail traffic between the two countries,” reads the statement. представителей транспортной индустрии, инициировала проект, направленный на преобразование европейских городов в «умные города». В мире: Кабинет Министров Украины 4 июня принял постановление о подписании соглашения между украинским правительством и сербским правительством о сотрудничестве в области железнодорожного транспорта. В мире: Турция готова присоединиться к железнодорожному коридору ИранТуркменистан-Казахстан. Об этом заявил президент Турции Абдулла Гюль во время совего недавнего визита в Туркменистан. В мире: Железнодорожная линия Инчебурун-Горган была официально инаугурирована. Железнодорожный коридор длиной 88 км, соединяет город Горган, расположенный на северо-западе Ирана и Инчебурун, расположенный в Туркменистане.

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International: Inceburun-Gorgan rail project was officially inaugurated recently. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Iran’s Minister of Roads and Urban Development Ali Nikzad attended the inauguration ceremony. The 88-kilometers long rail project connects the north western Iranian city of Gorgan with Incheboroon in Turkmenistan.

The railway has the capacity to annually transfer 10 million tons of goods and 4 million passengers. By inauguration of the project, a rail corridor connecting the Persian Gulf to Central Asia was created. Iran now has access to Russia, Commenwealth of Independant States, and China. The project implementation also opened access for European and Asian countries to Central Asia and the Persian Gulf.

New agreement for Rail Baltica project International: Meeting in the Latvian town of Jurmala, the prime ministers of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania agreed to set up a draft proposal by the end of July on the creation of a joint legal entity to oversee the Rail Baltica project.

The Baltic countries should prepare an application to secure European Union funding. The three Baltic States will each have to commit to paying up to EUR 5.3 Million.

Eurotunnel to support transport projects International: Eurotunnel has

unveiled a new system of financial support for railway operators launching new intermodal rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel. ETICA - Eurotunnel Incentive for Capacity Additions - will provide a one-off financial support for start-up investments, for one year. The ETICA mechanism, which will be fully funded by Eurotunnel, with no public subsidy, is based on the Marco Polo aid system and conforms to European directives.

Moldovan Minister of Transport emphasizes the development of intermodal corridors Moldova: “The Republic of Moldova is located at the border of the European Union with the Community of Independent States and this geographic position generates important activities for both freight and passenger traffic. The railway transport in Moldova also favours the development of connections with the member states of the European Union, with the region of the Caucasus and

Federal parliament: legislation passed on funding private rail infrastructure International: The German Pro-Rail Alliance has welcomed legislation on funding the infrastructure of the railways that are not owned by the state (NE-railways).

“It is important that the state is taking on some overall responsibility for the privately owned railways,” said Dirk Flege, managing director of the Pro-Rail Alliance, on Friday in Berlin. “Just the Hafenbahn infrastructure in the port of Hamburg alone, which is not

Eastern Europe”, declared Vasile Botnari, the Minister of Transport in the Republic of Moldova during the Moldovan Railway Summit. The event was held in Chişinău on 6-7 June and is organised by Moldovan Railways and Club Feroviar under the aegis of the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Moldova.

“In the coming period, the Ministry of Transport will focus on the development of intermodal transport and the full exploitation of rail freight transport potential, as well as on the attraction of investments in the modernisation of rolling stock. We will also initiate the introduction of public polls to have an insight view on providing a quality railway transport. The Ministry of Transport will support railway modernisation projects”, added Minister Vasile Botnari. “We will try to attract foreign funds for the modernisation of railway infrastructure and we will support the development of intermodal corridors for the facilitation of container transit”, concluded Vasile Botnari.

owned by the German state, is the starting point or the destination for around 12 percent of all the rail freight tonnage that is transported within Germany. Large sections of the German railway network that are not operated by the state owned Deutsche Bahn are enormously important for the long-distance transport of goods in Germany”. The aim of the legislation is, above all, to create additional capacity on the railways to cope with the increasing amount of long-distance freight transport. This year, the federal government will initially be making 25 million euros available.

transport corridor, Turkish President Abdullah Gül said during a state visit to Turkmenistan. “Joining the NorthSouth transport corridor is important for us,” Gül said. “Turkmenistan holds a prominent place among the fastest growing countries, by making a significant contribution to the world development.

A Kazakhstan-Turkmenistan-Iran railway section has been recently opened.” A project on connecting the railways on the Kazakh-Turkmen border was launched this month. In general, two neighboring countries are implementing the “NorthSouth” project together with Iran. A trilateral inter-state agreement was signed in 2007. The Iranian and Turkmen railway networks are expected to be connected by late 2013.

Turkey is ready to join IranTurkmenistan-Kazakhstan transport corridor

photo: azernews.az

Inceburun-Gorgan rail project officialy inaugurated

International: Turkey is ready to join the Iran-Turkmenistan-Kazakhstan В мире: Allianz-pro-Schiene высоко ценит законодательство о финансировании железнодорожной инфраструктуры, не принадлежащей государству. Закон был принят федеральным парламентом Германии. Россия: Rail Garant и Русагротранс достигли соглашения по основным условиям соглашения о создании новой компании по перевозке грузов железнодорожным путем слияния, указывает “Коммерсант”. Окончательное соглашение будет заключено летом этого года. компанией «PKP Cargo». В мире: На встрече в Юрмале, Латвия, премьер-министры Эстонии, Латвии и Литвы договорились разработать проект предложения в конце июля о создании компании для контроля осуществления проекта Rail Baltica.

В мире: Компания Eurotunnel объявила о новой программе финансирования для железнодорожных операторов, которые хотят предоставлять новые услуги грузовых железнодорожных перевозок через Ла-Манш. Республика Молдова: “В ближайшее время Министерство транспорта будет сосредоточиваться на развитии интермодальных перевозок и на полноценном использовании потенциала железнодорожных грузоперевозок, а также на привлечении инвестиций для модернизации подвижного состава,” заявил министр транспорта Василий Ботнарь в рамках Железнодорожного саммита в Молдове - «Железнодорожное сообщение между Европой и Азией», организованного Молдавскими железными дорогами и Клуб Феровиар в период с 6 по 7 июня 2013 года в Кишиневе.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

12 news projects aimed to develop railway freight transport. “An important project is Zubr, the container transport service which ensures connection between the Black Sea and the Baltic Sea, with the participation of Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine, Poland, Lithuania and Estonia. The travel time will be significantly reduced due to the facilitation of customs procedures. Also, in the first half of the year we launched the transport from China through Giurgiuleşti Port and at the end of 2012 we launched another project through which the Republic of Moldova, together with Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan organised a container train on Corridor XII. As benefits I can say that, compared to maritime transport, the train has reached destination two weeks earlier, the cost of the transport being 12% smaller compared to maritime transport”, declared Struna.

Moldova: “The governing programme stipulates the implementation of measures for the restructuring of the railway company, Moldovan Railways. Starting with 2012, the company has optimised the cooperation and interaction with European institutions and Eastern institutions.

The activity departments for three segments have already been established: infrastructure, freight transport and passenger transport and currently we are working to avoid mixed costs, in order to ensure the independence of each sector”, declared Vitalie Struna, General Manager of Moldovan Railways, during the Moldovan Railway Summit. At international level, Moldovan Railways develop important

UTLC activity launched in 2013 International: The logistics company of the Common Economic Space (CES), United Transport and Logistics Company (UTLC or OTLK) of Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus should be launched in 2013, said Salman Babayev, RZD’s Vice President for Commerce. An active work is now underway to develop single rules of transportation on the territory of the three countries. The model of UTLC’ functioning is practically developed. “The main objective of creating the common transport and logistics company in the CES is to develop the transport corridor from Asia to Europe via Kazakhstan, Russia, and Belarus. Joining efforts to extend container transportation will produce a serious effect for the three states,” emphasized Babayev.

New important investments in Baikal-Amur line

photo: wikimedia.org

Russia: Russian Railways will invest RUB 302 Billion (EUR 7.5 Billion) in the development of Baikal-Amur line. “RUB 562 Billion (around EUR 14 Billion) are necessary of which RZD will allocate RUB 302 Billion and the remainder will be covered through a public-private partnership”, declared Anatoly Kuzhel, the Head of the Traffic Control Department of RZD’s Central Directorate for Traffic Control.

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

This is one of the most important cargo transport lines for Russia as it ensures connections to the east of Siberia and Far East. The 4,324km long line crosses the north part on a distance of 770 km and is parallel to the Trans-Siberian.

Council and European Parliament reach agreement on guidelines for the development of TEN-T INTERNATIONAL: The member states’ Permanent Representatives, on June 12, endorsed the compromise reached between the Council and the European Parliament in their negotiations on new guidelines defining a long-term strategy for the development of a complete transEuropean transport network (TEN-T), consisting of infrastructure for railways, maritime and air transport, roads and inland waterways. The agreed text stills needs to be formally approved by the Parliament, whose vote in plenary is expected to take place in the months ahead, and by the Council, which is due to take its decision after the vote in Parliament. The compromise resulting from the negotiations between Council

Республика Молдова: “В первой половине этого года мы запустили перевозки из Китая через порт Джурджулешть, а в конце 2012 года мы запустили еще один проект, по которому Молдавские железные дороги, совместно с Россией, Украиной и Казахстаном организовали контейнерный поезд по коридору XII.” - заявил генеральный директор железнодорожной компании Молдовы Виталий Струнэ по случаю саммита в Кишиневе. Россия: ОАО «РЖД» вложит 302 млрд. рублей (7,5 млрд. евро) в развитие Байкал-Амурской магистрали. “”Потребность в инвестициях составляет 562 млрд. рублей, из них 302 млрд. рублей будет вложено непосредственно

and Parliament covers issues such as the binding deadline of 2030 for the completion of the core network and an aspirational deadline of 2050 for the comprehensive network and the concept of corridors as an instrument for the implementation of the core network, stressing, in particular, the multi-modal character of the corridors, with special emphasis on Motorways of the Seas, and the priority to be given to crossborder sections; moreover, coordination between the core network corridors and the existing rail freight corridors needs to be ensured, and a Corridor Forum will be established as a consultative body.

EIB provides new loan for AnkaraIstanbul project International: The European Investment Bank is providing EUR 200 Million to the Turkish State Railways for the high-speed line Ankara-Istanbul.

This additional funding brings total EIB support for this high speed railway line to some EUR 1.5 Billion. The project was first financed by the EIB in 2006.

The total value of EIB financing for the Turkish rail system in the last five years comes to some EUR 2.5 Billion. The project constitutes a key element of the Government’s plans to increase the share of rail transport by improving the productivity and effectiveness of railway operations. The European Union is also providing a grant of EUR 120 Million to the HSL project through its Instrument for Pre-Accession (IPA) funds.

photo: TCDD

Restructuring of Moldovan Railways included in governing programme

ОАО «РЖД». “, сообщил начальник управления движения Центральной дирекции управления движением РЖД Анатолий Кужель. В мире: В 2013 году может основаться логистическая компания Единого экономического пространства (ЕЭП) - Объединенная транспортнологистическая компания (ОТЛК), в составе которой будут Россия, Казахстан и Белоруссия. Об этом объявил вицепрезидент РЖД по коммерческой деятельности, Салман Бабаев. В мире: Европейский инвестиционный банк предоставляет 200 млн. евро для Турецких государственных железных дорог для высокоскоростных линии Анкара-Стамбул.

14 news UITP Geneva 2013: Debate session for Central and Eastern Europe

photo: www.uitpgeneva2013.org

international: “Central and East-European countries benefit from special expertise in public transport and it will be a shame to lose it in favour of individual motorised transport, a mistake which Western countries also made in the 1960s”, declared in Geneva Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General during the special session dedicated to Central and East-European countries at the 60th edition of the UITP Congress.

The session “Efficient and innovative public transport in Central and Eastern Europe” was moderated by Gradimir Stefanovic, transport consultant of Belgrade Municipality and co-founder of the Light Rail Committee of UITP, and the main discussion topics focused on identifying solutions to cut transport costs in public transport to enable improved organisation of the system, followed by an increasing number of passengers.

The speakers of this first edition of a regional session dedicated to Central and Eastern Europe were Bojan Bovan, Secretary of Transport, Belgrade Municipality, Jerzy Lejk, President of the Board, Warsaw Metro and Dávid Vitézy, CEO of BKK, Budapest Public Transport Operator. Romania had two representatives: István Csuzi, CEO, Oradea Local Transport Operator, and Ștefan Roșeanu, CEO of AMM (Association for Metropolitan Mobility), a recent member of UITP. To improve public transport in the capital of Hungary, BKK organises a tender for the acquisition of 37 low-floor trams and another tender for 25 trolleybuses for which they have managed to get a remarkable 99% in financing of EU funds. At the same time, BKK will also implement a new ticketing system with the help of an EBRD loan.

Warsaw Metro, which carries a daily 1 million passengers a day, has also plans to expand the network, works for the Line 2 of the metro being underway also with European co-financing.

István Csuzi reviewed the investments Oradea made in tram transport starting with 2000, including the rehabilitation of infrastructure and the acquisition of new low-floor trams. 35% of OTL’s bus fleet also includes low-floor vehicles. The number of passengers using public transport has increased by 10% in the past years. The company wants to continue the modernisation of vehicles for reducing costs by implementing energy-efficiency measures and will try to access European financing. Bojan Bovan pointed out the main public transport investments in Belgrade and the modernisation of the fleet of vehicles. The capital of Serbia has new trams and trolleybuses and has recently finalized the acquisition of new 200 buses. A joint Turkish-Serbian company will implement a new ticketing and fleet management system. Ștefan Roșeanu shaped the evolution of public transport in Romania, stressing the fact that the new challenge is the organisation of transport systems in the recently established metropolitan areas and around Bucharest, but also the transformation of the independent transport administrations into trading companies and the conclusion of public service obligations.

In conclusion, Gradimir Stefanovic pointed out that Central and Eastern countries have to continue to seek solutions to improve cost efficiency in public transport, to implement modern ticketing solutions, to try to prioritize public transport in the authorities’ activities and to be united to optimise the use of European funds.

Belarus to take part in Moscow Metro development project russia: Specialists from Belarus will participate in the projects for the development of Moscow Metro network, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Belarus to Russia Igor Petrishenko declared. “Construction companies from Belarus are known in Moscow and are currently performing subcontracting and general contracting works in the Russian capital”, he said.

In Q1 2013, Minsk Metro Company, Minskmetrostroi and Mosmetrograzhdanproyekt, completed the legal procedure of creation and registration of a joint company.

Today the Russian capital is implementing a large-scale program on metro service development. The length of the metro lines is expected to increase 1.5 times, with about 70 new stations appearing within the next five years.

Arad launches tender for the procurement of new trams Romania: EBRD has invited bidders to participate in the tender for the procurement of new trams for the City of Arad. The contract involves the design, manufacturing, delivery, commissioning and maintenance of 6 new trams. The City of Arad reserves the right to increase the number of trams by other 2 or 3 units, on condition that EBRD would approve on www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

additional financing. The tender will be carried out in two stages. The first stage consists in the evaluation of technical offers.

The bidders that will qualify in the first stage will be invited to submit a technical offer amended according to the customer’s requirements and a commercial offer in the second stage tender. The cost of the trams will be covered through an EBRD loan contracted within the “Arad Urban Transport Phase 3” project.

Norwegians bid to build Macedonian tramway Macedonia: Only one firm, a Norwegian consortium led by P.J Skurdal, has tendered an offer for the Skopje tram network when В мире: Страны Центральной и Восточной Европы по-прежнему пользуются особыми преимуществами в сфере общественного транспорта, которые было бы жаль потерять в пользу индивидуального транспорта на автомобиле. Россия: Белорусские специалисты будут участвовать в проектах развития сети московского метрополитена. Румыния: ЕБРР объявил тендер на закупку трамваев для города Арада. Азербайджан: Для строительства сети метро, власти Азербайджана рассмотрели три города: Сумгаит, Нахчывань и Гянджа.

the tendering procedure expired, the city confirmed. Authorities said it was was too early to reveal details of the offer. The slack interest comes as a disappointment after Skopje mayor Koce Trajanovski last year said companies from France, Poland, Croatia, Germany and the Czech Republic had shown interest. After several delays, the city issued the tram tender last December, envisaging the project as a private-public partnership. Should a concessionary firm be chosen, it will operate the system for 35 years and will have to build 24 kilometres of line running in two directions and obtain at least 22 trams. It is estimated that the cost will be some EUR 240 Million. According to projections, the government and city will finance half of the sum needed for the trams, as estimates have shown that the project В мире: Одна компания - норвежский консорциум во главе с PJ Skurdal - проявила заинтересованность в строительстве трамвайных приспособлений в столице бывшей югославской республики Македония. Россия: В августе месяце в Москве будет объявлен тендер на поставку 3500 вагонов метро. В мире: Под руководством Европейской комиссии, группа высокопоставленных лиц, состоящая из европейских мэров и представителей промышленности, инициировала проект, направленный на преобразование европейских городов в «умные города».

news 15

Authorities want to build metro networks in other cities too

Istanbul tenders metro train contract turkey: Metropolitan Municipality’s Rail Systems Directorate invites bids from individual companies for a fleet of 21 six-car trains for operation on the new Line M6.

The driverless trains, which must be in service by 2015, will have wide inter-car gangways. There must be a minimum of 15% Turkish content apart from the first two trains.

The 20km Line M6, which will be en-

Azerbaijan: The Azerbaijani authorities have considered three cities where the metro will be built: Sumgait, Nakhchivan and Ganja, shows Baku metro company in a press release. “Metro construction holds perspective future in Azerbaijan.

We plan to take the necessary measure for the use of metro by the citizens of suburban settlements in Baku, Sumgait, as well as in Nakhchivan and Ganja”, said the managing director of the company Tagi Ahmedov. At the moment, Baku Metro develops projects under the development strategy until 2020. According to Ahmedov, it is planned to commission 2 stations in 2014 and 6 more in 2016 within the programme. The metro system development strategy envisages the construction of a 119km network from the current 34.6km network.

2015, is estimated at around EUR 5 Billion for around 3,500 metro cars. The contract will expand on 30 years and will include the rolling stock maintenance.

The acquisition will be conducted through a public-private partnership and the winner of the contract will have the task to manage and finance the project.

The municipality will have to allocate money for the new cars and for the maintenance on a regular basis.

Moscow: tender for metro trains to start soon

Commission plans to support development of ‘smarter cities’

Russia: Moscow Municipality will initiate in August the international tender for the modernisation of the underground network. The order, which stipulates the delivery of rolling stock starting with

International: Under the European Commission’s leadership, a highprofile group of mayors and industry representatives has started to work towards making Europe’s cities ‘smarter’.

tirely underground, is being built from Üsküdar, where it will connect with the Marmaray rail link under the Bosporus, via Ümraniye to Çekmeköy and will have 16 stations.

photo: en.wikipedia.org

would be hard to complete without state subsidies.

Today, Vice Presidents Kallas and Kroes and Commissioner Oettinger hosted the first High Level meeting of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) “Smart Cities and Communities”. The challenges that cities and communities face in the quest for sustainability and quality of life are increasingly significant. The EIP plans to support wide-scale deployment of innovative technologies in the areas of mobility management, energy generation, distribution and consumption, and information and communication technologies. Турция: Управление Железными дорогами муниципалитета города Стамбула объявило тендер на поставку 21 поездов метро.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

16 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Strategy on adaptation to climate change – another challenge in European policies

[ by Pamela Luică ]

In April 2013, the European Commission presented a set of measures on adaptation to climate change; first of all, the EU strategy on adaptation to climate change sets a framework and mechanisms for the EU preparation on the present and future climate impact; the Commission also coordinated the Green Paper for preparing Europe to tackle natural or human-inflicted disasters.

T

he general objective of the strategy is to efficiently contribute to creating a stronger Europe in the fight against climate change paying special attention to cross-border issues and sectors tightly integrated in the EU through joint policies.

Therefore, it is necessary to consolidate and to train the capacity of answering to the impact of climate change at local, regional, national and European level by developing a coherent approach and by optimizing the coordination of actions. To that end, one of the greatest challenges is adapting costefficient measures to different planning and management levels.

“Cutting the world’s greenhouse gas emissions must remain our top priority in order to keep global warming below 2°C and avert dangerous climate change. But the adverse impacts of the changing climate are increasingly evident today in Europe. Adapting to these changes is one of the most fundamental challenges for territorial development in Europe. Our strategy will help decisionmakers in Europe to choose the best solutions to the benefit of their citizens. This will stimulate growth and jobs and prevent potentially high human, economic and environmental costs later on”, declared Connie Hedegaard, European Commissioner for Climate Action.

Also, the revision of the EU strategy on

Successful adaptation for rail infrastructure is likely to include: • improvements in flood defences along some lengths of coastline and selected reaches of rivers • restrictions on development in areas prone to flooding • use of more durable materials such as more corrosion-resistant metals • an increase in the stability of pylons and other structures prone to wind loading; • better drainage systems • planting low-maintenance vegetation to act asbuffer zones for high winds.

Source: GRaBS (Green and Blue Space Adaptation for Urban Areas and Eco Towns), „Adapting Transport Systems to Climate Change”,

By Giuseppe Inturri and Matteo Ignaccolo

adaptation is scheduled by 2018 in order to evaluate if additional measures are necessary to meet the objectives of the strategy.

The strategy focuses on three main objectives, the first being to promote the adoption of measures by member states. “The Commission will encourage all member states to adopt comprehensive adaptation strategies (currently, only 15 countries have such strategies) and will grant financing for the consolidation of capacities to adaptation and implementation of actions”, EC informs.

The second objective consists in measures aimed at creating a protective wall against climate change in the EU by further promoting the adaptation to key vulnerable sectors, such as agriculture, fishing and the cohesion policy by guaranteeing the fact that the European infrastructure becomes stronger and by promoting insurance against natural and human-inflicted disasters.

Absolute change of GHG emission

Source: http://www.eea.europa.eu

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

The third objective relies on the more conscious decision-making, by approaching knowledge gaps on adaptation and by further developing the European platform on climate change (Climate-ADAPT) as one-stop shop for information on adaptation in Europe.

Co-financing of transport projects increased by over 10% for actions concerning climate resilience In this context, the infrastructure for all the 4 transport modes (railway, road, maritime and air) is subject to climate pressure and to an adequate adaptation policy. The consequences of climate change are positive and negative effects on the transport infrastructure, but they will be different from one region to another. Most of all, the estimates on the increase of frequency and the extreme intensification of meteTransport contribution to emmisions

Absolute change of GHG emission

Source: http://www.eea.europa.eu

orological phenomena with a negative impact over the transport infrastructure cause damages, perturbations, delays and economic losses. However, in time there are also positive consequences for transport, such as less snow in Europe.

EU commits to integrate the adaptation to climate change to the different policies and financial instruments including the transport policy, the Connecting Europe Facility or the cohesion policy.

The transport sector meets vital economic and social functions and depends of the situation of the environment. Investments in transport infrastructure help increase the life expectancy of the infrastructure and their value in the economy, and the preparation and capacity of adaptation to the future impact of climate change are critical elements.

The proposal for the new TEN-T guidelines includes the resilience to climate change, especially Article 41: in planning the infrastructure, special importance must be paid to evaluating risks and measures to adapt that optimise the resilience to climate change. Moreover, the resilience of the infrastructure against natural or human-inflicted disasters has to be considered if necessary.

The TEN-T project, co-financed through the Connecting Europe Facility, will promote the transition to a transport infrastructure that resists to climate change and disasters. “All transport modes are eligible for funding. Co-financing rates may be increased by up to 10% for actions enhancing climate resilience”, shows the Commission’s Working Document “Adapting infrastructure to climate change” (April 2013).

The next step for adapting the TEN-T network to climate change should supply the foundation for the worldwide implementation of new technologies and innovations which, for example, can enhance the global efficiency of the European transport sector and reduce the carbon footprint. This will have a contribution in the implementation of the “Europe 2020” Strategy and the White Paper on Transport on cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 60% by 2050 and will increase the safety of fuelling in the EU.

Стратегия адаптации к климатическим изменениям - другой вызов для европейской политики Главная цель стратегии адаптации к изменению климата заключается в эффективном содействии осуществлению такой Европы, которая была бы устойчивой к изменению климата, с особым сосредоточением на трансграничных вопросах и секторах, тесно интегрированных на уровне ЕС за счёт общей политики. Таким образом, необходимо укрепить и подготовить способность реагировать на воздействия изменения климата на местном, региональном, национальном и европейском уровне, путем разработки согласованных и оптимально скоординированных действий. В этой связи, одной из самых крупных проблем является адаптация затрат на различных уровнях планирования и управления.

DB International: The best choice for mobility and transport solutions www.db-international.de

18 Market development

Russian high-speed projects encourage the rail industry to develop products

[ by Pamela Luică ]

The fact that railway high-speed is a “must-have” of the modern society and one of the main transport and economic development engines is a benefit acknowledged by the authorities of each country whether they have high-speed infrastructures or not. For Russia, the awareness on the contribution of these projects to the country’s development is visible and the authorities encourage investments and launch high-speed projects.

R

ussia has plans to expand its highspeed network by 12,000 km by 2030 and these plans require investments worth USD 200 Billion. According to the company’s web site, estimates show that the allocation of investments will increase passenger traffic by over 30% in the country and by 37% on international routes, and will significantly reduce traffic on the existing transport corridors.

“Modern rail traffic is impossible without high-speed services. By 2025, the length of the high-speed network will be of 40,000 km. Consequently, it is necessary to keep in mind that every rouble invested by the government in the development of highspeed lines has a return of 3 roubles”, declared Alexander Misharin, First Vice President of RZD. Currently, Russia is already developing projects for high-speed services between St Petersburg and Ekaterinburg, for the construction of a line dedicated to highspeed trains, with costs being estimated at USD 35 Billion. Also, there are fast trains between St Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, but they use the existing line,

also used for freight traffic, which reduced the speed of passenger trains. High-speed trains are also operated on the line St Petersburg-Helsinki.

Recently, Russian Railways has announced that “the development of highspeed lines is set as priority”, according to Misharin. He also said that a separate highspeed railway would be built to connect Moscow to St. Petersburg, and later on, similar projects would be implemented on the East-West axis, the strategic direction being Moscow. The high-speed railways will link the largest cities in European Russia and Siberia and “talks are today held on rail high-speed projects between Vladivostok and Khabarovsk”, added Misharin.

In April, during one of his visits to the production units of Evraz, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said the Russian Government favoured the construction of high-speed railways. Evraz also announced that starting with 2014 it would begin delivering the 100-m rails to RZD, the manufacturer being, in fact, the first domestic company that would begin to manufacture these special, long rails for

high-speed (previously, RZD bought these special 100-m long rails from Nippon Steel – Japan). “No matter what they say, the development of high-speed railways is ahead of us and it depends on these rails”, declared Medvedev. Evraz could also sell the new type of rails on the foreign markets, being interested to export them to Austria and Germany. The Direct Investment fund and RZD are currently studying how to make high-speed projects profitable and to attract private investors, declared the director of the Fund, Kirill Dmitriev.

St. Petersburg - Moscow

Network with a fast future

Своими проектами высокоскоростного движения Россия поощряет железнодорожную промышленность развивать новую продукцию

Source: http://www.eng.hsrail.ru

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

К 2030 году ожидается осуществление проектов расширения высокоскоростной сети на 12000 км. Для этого потребуются инвестиции на сумму 200 миллиардов долларов. Оценки показывают, что распределение инвестиций приведет к увеличению пассажиропотоков на 30% (внутренние перевозки) и на 37% на международных маршрутах и к значительному снижению давления на передвижение по существующим транспортным коридорам.

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20

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Trilateral negotiations with happy ending: agreement on a unified TEN-T network [ by Elena Ilie ]

After long negotiations, the European Commission, the Council and the European Parliament have reached an agreement at the end of May on the proposals to transform the existing patchwork of railways, roads, airports and waterways into a unified transport network (TEN-T).

T

he agreement sets a core transport will begin in 2013. network to be established by 2030 The new core TEN-T network will be to act as the backbone for transpor- supported by a comprehensive network of tation within the Single Market. Transport routes, feeding into the core network at refinancing under the Connecting Europe gional and national level. This will largely be Facility (for the period 2014–2020) will financed by Member States, with some EU also focus on this core transport network, transport and regional funding possibilities, filling in cross-border missing links, remov- including with new innovative financing ing bottlenecks and making the network instruments. The aim is to ensure that prosmarter. gressively, and by 2050, the great majority The EUR 31.7 Billion granted to trans- of Europe’s citizens and businesses will be port within the Connecting Europe Facility no more than 30 minutes’ travel time from will serve in practice as “initial capitalâ€? to this comprehensive network. stimulate additional investments from the “This is a historic agreement to create member states in order to finalize the dif- a powerful European transport network ficult cross-border connections and links across 28 Member States. Transport is vital which would probably not be developed to the European economy, without good otherwise. Each EUR 1 Million spent in connections Europe will not grow or prosEurope will generate EUR 5 Million from per. This agreement will connect East with ÂŤ)@MT@QXÂŤ ÂŤTOC@SD the governments of the member states and West and replace today’s transport patchEUR 20 Million from the private sector. To work with a network that is genuinely Eu1EB 1O>KP "ROLMB>K 1O>KPMLOQ +BQTLOH "UB@RQFSB DBK@V 1"+ 1 " FP OBPMLKPF?IB CLO J>K>DFKD QEB QB@EKF@>I >KA support the financing from the Connect- ropean. ČŽK>K@F>I FJMIBJBKQ>QFLK LC QEB 1"+ 1 MOLDO>JJB ing Europe Facility, the Commission also This is a major step towards building a new 2FCČŠNPMHCARQČŠMDČŠRFCČŠ2#, 2ČŠ.PMEP?KKCČŠAMTCPČŠ?JJČŠRP?LQNMPRČŠKMBCQČŠÂ˜ČŠ?GP ČŠP?GJ ČŠPM?BČŠ?LBČŠU?RCP@MPLCČŠ K?PGRGKC GLJ?LBČŠU?RCPU?WQ ČŠ adopted the terms of the “Project Bondsâ€? transport network that will be the backÂ˜ČŠNJSQČŠJMEGQRGAQČŠ?LBČŠGLRCJJGECLRČŠRP?LQNMPRČŠQWQRCKQ ČŠ?LBČŠGLTMJTCČŠ?JJČŠ#3ČŠ+CK@CPČŠ1R?RCQ ČŠ1MKCČŠ ČŠNPMHCARQČŠF?TCČŠ@CCLČŠCQR?@ Europe 2020 Initiative (bonds for the fi- bone to boost growth and competitiveness JGQFCBČŠSLBCPČŠRFCČŠ ČŠČ?L?LAG?JČŠNCPQNCARGTCČŠSNČŠRMČŠLMU ČŠ-SRČŠMDČŠRFCQC ČŠ ČŠF?TCČŠ@CCLČŠA?LACJJCBČŠUFGJCČŠRFCČŠPCK?GLGLEČŠ ČŠ nancing of projects) which will represent in Europe’s Single Marketâ€?, declared the EuNPMHCARQČŠ ČŠMLEMGLEČŠ?LBČŠ ČŠAMKNJCRCB ČŠ?KMSLRČŠRMČŠ?ARS?JČŠ2#, 2ČŠDSLBGLEČŠMDȊ— ČŠ@GJJGML ČŠ2FCČŠ ECLAWČŠ?JQMČŠKMLGRMPQČŠ ČŠ MLEMGLEČŠNPMHCARQČŠQCRČŠSNČŠSLBCPČŠRFCČŠNPCTGMSQČŠČ?L?LAG?JČŠNCPQNCARGTCQ ČŠUFGAFČŠPCNPCQCLRȊ— ČŠKGJJGML ČŠ one of the instruments for dividing the risk ropean Commissioner for Transport, Siim that the Connecting Europe Facility could Kallas.

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An important provision included in the new TEN-T guidelines stipulates that the operators of freight terminals should make sure that all cargo terminals are open to all transport operators while the operators of logistics platforms provide at least one open terminal to all railway freight transport operators.

The operators of cargo terminals and those of logistics platforms will have to provide this type of access without discrimination and with transparent tariffs.

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the core transport network are implemented as a priority. It sets standards to ensure that trains, ships, planes, trucks and cars can use the transport infrastructure safely and without any technical problem. The core network is to be completed by 2030.

For instance, by 2030 the core railway network will be equipped with the European ERTMS signalling system, allowing for easy and safe cross-border train operations. The new policy focuses on the most important elements: cross-border projects, interoperability and intermodality between different transport modes. The European coordinators will support the member states and the project promoters so as to obtain the best possible return of investments.

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ĐŁŃ ĐżĐľŃˆĐ˝Ń‹Đľ Ń‚Ń€Ń‘Ń…Ń Ń‚ĐžŃ€ĐžĐ˝Đ˝Đ¸Đľ порогОвОры: Ń ĐžĐłĐťĐ°ŃˆĐľĐ˝Đ¸Đľ пО ŃƒĐ˝Đ¸Ń„Đ¸Ń†Đ¸Ń€ĐžĐ˛Đ°Đ˝Đ¸ŃŽ Ń ĐľŃ‚Đ¸ TEN-T Đ&#x;ĐžŃ ĐťĐľ Đ´ĐťĐ¸Ń‚ĐľĐťŃŒĐ˝Ń‹Ń… порогОвОрОв, Đ•Đ˛Ń€ĐžĐżĐľĐšŃ ĐşĐ°Ń? ĐşĐžĐźĐ¸Ń Ń Đ¸Ń?, ХОвот и Đ•Đ˛Ń€ĐžĐżĐľĐšŃ ĐşĐ¸Đš Đ&#x;арНаПонт в кОнцо ПаŃ? ĐźĐľŃ Ń?ца Đ´ĐžŃ Ń‚Đ¸ĐłĐťĐ¸ Ń ĐžĐłĐťĐ°ŃˆĐľĐ˝Đ¸Ń? пО ĐżĐžĐ˛ĐžĐ´Ńƒ продНОМониК пО проОйраСОванию Đ˝Ń‹Đ˝ĐľŃˆĐ˝ĐľĐłĐž â€œĐ°ĐźĐ°ĐťŃŒĐłĐ°ĐźĐ°â€? МоНоСных дОрОг, автОдОрОг, Đ°Ń?рОпОртОв и ĐľĐ˛Ń€ĐžĐżĐľĐšŃ ĐşĐ¸Ń… вОдных ĐżŃƒŃ‚ĐľĐš в ĐľĐ´Đ¸Đ˝ŃƒŃŽ Ń‚Ń€Đ°Đ˝Ń ĐżĐžŃ€Ń‚Đ˝ŃƒŃŽ Ń ĐľŃ‚ŃŒ (TEN-T).

22 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Progress with the Danube Strategy [ by Pamela Luică ]

Although economically and socially different, the 14 countries in the Danube Region (of which 8 are EU Member States) are strongly interconnected based on an integration, growth and development potential. The region has a strategic location through which the EU opens up to its neighbours, the Black Sea region, South Caucasus and Central Asia. From the point of view of mobility, the transport axis is one of the most important eco-friendly corridors in the world. The region can significantly develop its competitiveness by enhancing collaboration, filling in missing links in the transport network and improving collaboration within the SMEs.

E

U has elaborated the Danube Strategy for the development of this region, a strategy dedicated to improving the life of citizens and focusing on mobility, connectivity, environment protection, energy efficiency, economic and social development, cultural exchange etc.

The strategy includes a solid integrated framework which supports the approach by the countries and regions of the aspects which cannot be dealt with individually, at least not efficiently, but which require a strategic study, projects and activities dealt with across nations. This allows a better cooperation aimed at improving efficiency, the leverage and the impact of policies

across the EU by using these policies and the existing programmes and by creating synergies between them. Moreover, it is extremely important that this strategy creates a favourable collaboration framework between the EU countries, Western Balkans, Moldova and Ukraine.

Published in April, two years after the launch of the strategy, the EC report on the Danube Region says that “18 months after implementation, significant achievements are obvious. The Strategy and its related action plan rely on four pillars. New projects are facilitated for approaching main aspects and these projects offer a new stimulus for existing projects and support the networks



 

Railways - Passenger

Source: www.danube-region.eu, PA 1B | Mobility | Rail-Road-Air

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

in the region”.

“The report reveals a series of new projects and explains in detail the way in which the strategy stimulates the existing initiatives by encouraging collaboration and the combination of funds, thus contributing to the EU’s long-term growth programme “Europe 2020”, declared the EU Commissioner for Regional Development, Johannes Hahn.

For interconnecting the region, the ministers of transport adopted a declaration on the maintenance of the Danube’s waterways. Romania and Bulgaria have also signed the memorandum of understanding on navigability and the project of VidinCalafat Bridge, which creates a sustain-

POLICIES & STRATEGIES

23

Time Schedule Ͳ Action 2 PA 1b Time Schedule ‐ Action 2 PA 1b ID 39

Task Name To promote and to monitor the implementation of the rail freight corridors in Danube Regions

2012 1st Half 2nd Half Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

2013 1st Half 2nd Half Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

2014 1st Half 2nd Half Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

2015 1st Half 2nd Half Qtr 1 Qtr 2 Qtr 3 Qtr 4

201 1st Half Qtr 1 Qtr 2

Source: www.danube-region.eu, PA 1B | Mobility | Rail-Road-Air

able transport connection between the two the action plan 24.5 of the strategy. The strategy List of projects countries, has received a lot of attention. is very lively 24.5and develops constantly. The Serbia Construction of Road-Rail Bridge overEuropean the Danube at Vinca The project is co-financed from countries can add new projects all the time funds. It isINCLUSION the second bridge the bor- and can eliminate from the action plan the 43 OF THE NEW Railalong Freight BALKAN CORRIDOR INTO THE EU RAILWAY SYSTEM der section of the 630km river and fills in projects which are no longer up-to-date”, 44 24.5 Slovenia an important the TEN-T declared Silvia Adriana Ţicău, Vice Chair of 45 Bulidingmissing Capacities tolink Interlinkin Transport Policy and network. Research as a Tool to Improve Mobility and Multimodality the European Committee on Transport and to improve financing 46 In orderFramework Strategythe Towards Sustainableaccess, Mobility in the Tourism (TRAN).

Danube Region the financing dialogue in the Danube ReThe EU strategy does not have a budget gion correlates projects and funds to in- line dedicated to the implementation of tensify collaboration between the project projects in the action plan, but member initiators (SMEs, banks, financing institu- states can use structural funds to develop tions) and financing programmes. “I would these projects. “It is essential that the like that the priorities of the Strategy for the projects included in the strategy would Danube Region would be included in the also be included in the Operational Proprogramming of our future regional funds grammes of the countries for 2014-2020”, and to be firmly integrated among nation- said Ţicău. al, regional and local priorities of every At the moment, the European Parliament country involved in the project. The strat- and the Council are negotiating the regulaegy should be considered in every relevant tions on the guidelines for TEN-T and the political area and supported by politically Connecting Europe Facility. Of the total and financially stable structures”, declared budget (estimated at EUR 32 Million for Hahn.

2014-200), EUR 10 Billion come from cohesion funds and “could only be used by A financial instrument included in the states that are eligible for the cohesion the 2014-2020 budget is necessary policy based on annual grants up to 2017 and jointly after 2017. Within the conPage 3 The EU budget can offer limited direct fi- necting facility, rail, water and intermodal nancing of the implementation structure by transport will be prioritized”, added Ţicău.

2014. However, considering the fact that fiThe Conference on the Danube Strategy nancing is not guaranteed, it is necessary to (held at the end of 2012) focused on the find other support means, such as national necessity of a financial instrument dedicatsources or the future cross-border coopera- ed to strategy and included in the next protion programme for the Danube Region. gramming period 2014-2020. It is imporThe objective of the strategy is to obtain tant that interested member states would better results and a more significant impact include the projects on the development of by aligning the existing funds and policies the TEN-T network and the Connecting in the EU. “Regarding this strategy, member Europe Facility within their operational   states and the third countries which border programmes for 2014-2020 to elaborate the Danube have sent projects included in the necessary feasibility studies as fast as Railways - Freight

40 41 42



possible and to ensure the financial resources necessary to the co-financing of each of these projects. From the experience of previous years, the highest amounts of the Connecting Europe Facility will be offered to those interested through project demands launched in the period 20142016”, explains Ţicău.

The sure thing is that member states in the Danube region can use EUR 239 Million available of the total EU budget in order to issue bonds for the financing of projects on transport, energy and communications. The programme is managed by EIB and projects should be submitted by December 2013.

Slovenia and Serbia, the coordinators of the priority area 1B (for mobility-railwayroad-air), have underlined their outcome: the establishment of governance structure, the development of detailed maps for all transport modes, the identification of relevant projects, selected from 150 projects, of which 51% for railway, and the delivery of 17 recommendation letters, 7 of which on railway projects.

Regarding the railway programmes, so far the Steering Group of Priority Area 1B has granted Romania recommendation letters for the project on the electrification and rehabilitation of the line Bucureşti Nord - Jilava - Giurgiu – Border, the modernization of the lines Arad - Timişoara - Craiova – Calafat, Craiova - Strehaia - Drobeta Turnu-Severin – Caransebeş and Craiova – Calafat and Priority Axis 22, northern branch: Curtici - Braşov - Bucharest – Constanţa.

“I believe that the improvement and maintenance of the existing railway infrastructure will help reduce the travel time and will improve railway transport conditions which will increase the number of consumers on railway freight and passenger transport”, concluded Adriana Ţicău.

Дунайская стратегия регистрирует прогресс

Source: www.danube-region.eu, PA 1B | Mobility | Rail-Road-Air

В Докладе ЕС по Дунайской стратегии, опубликованном в апреле, два года спустя после начала осуществления данной стратегии, отмечается, что «18 месяцев спустя после запуска применения, были зарегистрированы значительные достижения. Стратегия и соответствующий План действий организованы по четырем основным направлениям, касающимся новых проектов. Они обеспечивают новый импульс для поддержки проектов и сетей в регионе».

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

24

leX

Mandatory tender procedures for public service contracts [ by Elena Ilie ]

Markets for rail freight services have already been fully opened to competition since January 2007and those for international passenger transport services as of 1 January 2010, yet national markets for domestic passenger transport services by rail remain largely closed and are the bastions of national monopolies. The Fourth Railway Package, thorough the proposal of opening the market to the national rail passenger transport, seeksServices to improve IBM Global Business the quality and the efficiency of services so that railway transport could become a more attractive choice for passengers.

E

Organisation of regulatory bodies forbodies rail transport Europe in Europe Organisation of regulatory for railintransport nsuring high quality, integrated services providing wider social benefits and lower external impacts compared to other modes will continue to require a Special Regulatory Body: large proportion of rail services across the AT, BE**, DE, DK, GR, FR, IT***, LU, EU (66% of passenger-km) to be provided NL*, GB under public service contracts, specified and Regulatory Body within a Railway subsidized by member states, regional or loAuthority: BG, CH, CZ, FI**, HU, LV, NO, PL, PT**, cal authorities. Removing the legal barrier by SE**, SK only allowing open access would have rather Regulatory Body within a Ministry: limited effects given that most domestic EE*, ES, IE, LT*, RO, SI**** services are covered by public service con- IBM Global Business Services tracts. Competition on domestic markets * Regulatory tasks performed by national Competition Authorities. ** Regulatory Body for various modes of transport should therefore be addressed at two levels *** Regulator URSF is an independent authority reporting to the Ministry of Transport. **** Reorganisation in a special regulatory body planned for April 2011. with competition “in the market” for those services that can be provided through open access and competition “for the market” there will be competition in these two countries in bothFigure purely passenger 10: commercial Modelssometimes of rail regulatory bodies in Europe to allow the transparent and cost-efficient competent authorities, up to 20- public service obligations are to be defined services also. award of public service contracts, as experi- 30%, which can be re-invested to improve in compliance with criteria based on gePurelyin commercial international withorcabotage rarely seen at the enced today some member states.passenger services services be usedare elsewhere.

Experience in neral Treaty principles. To avoid excessive moment Europe.

The first services of this kind by Deutsche Bahn, Aus-LEXand Aprovided significant improvement the Index geographic of more thanscope 100 points was achieved Existing rulesingive competent authorities otherareliberalised markets such asinSweden of contracts being by used to trianscope State Railways and LeNORD between Germany, Austria and improvements Italy andGreece, the service Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Denmark and Sweden.

These countries extensive to directly award public the UKIreland, has shown in qualityEstonia, foreclose markets, the Commission proposDenmark Sweden avoiding offered by theand Swedish incumbent with be-regulation in improved primarily in cabotage terms rail country,definition market access or the organservicebetween contracts in railand transport, availability of SJ services withof passenger esthe a flexible of maximum contract tween Copenhagen and Odense. isational structures the incumbent. competitive tendering procedures (which satisfaction rising year onofyear and passenger volume. A minimum threshold below which Although a number countries have conlegally guaranteed for national for are generally required forofpublic service growthDetails ofopen overofaccess 50% over ten Improved contracts be reports awarded directly will enall aspects of years. the RUs LEX Index are included in themay country or transnational services on a purely commercial basis, bring ininpractice, however, this Annexes V and VI.to tracts inpassenger other modes of provided public transport). servicesoverviews would clear benefits passen- able competent authorities to avoid organoften take placeservice in competition with nation-wide a publicBillion Directlymust awarded public contracts gers and services savings provided of some under EUR 30-40 ising a tendering procedure, if the expected service or ispassenger-kilomenot possible because to thetaxpayers. routes are used for services provided constitute 42%contract, of all EU savings of public funds would not exceed the exclusively under public service category includes Greece, Po- with 5.1.2.

ACCESS Index results tres, contributing to theafact that in 16contract. out of ThisBy amending theBulgaria, Regulation dealing costs of tender. Contracts directly awarded land, Romania, Slovenia, Hungary, Slovakia and the Baltic states.

25 member states with rail, the incumbent public service obligations public transport after adoption of thisanalyses, legislative package The ACCESS Index, in which accounts for 80 per centthe of the overall index, evaluholds above 90% market of ofbytheroad andcompares by rail, the Commission notaccess be able to continue The following graphic share.Evidence provides an overview countries in which purely commercial ates, and aggregates the aims practical will market conditions of thebeyond31 individual Derail passenger services are possible, areinalready actively or subject wheretendering this market competition for public service contracts to provided introduce mandatory ofispublic cember 2022. countries.

The areas examined in the ACCESS Index are as follows: closed to external Germany, Sweden and RUs: the Netherlands has service contracts as of December 2019.

The information barriers (duration of process required to obtain information, quality of pershown that tendering accrues savings for scope of those contracts and the underlying sonal and non-personal information provided relating to access regime, train path allocation,inoperating Purelyrail commercial passenger services Europe licence, safety certificate and rolling stock homologation), Purely commercial passenger rail services in Europe обязательного administrative barriers (licensing, issuing ofПроцедуры safety certificates and the rolling stock тендере на государственные homologation process), Market closed for commercial national rail passenger services.

Open access, but no external RUs providing commercial national rail passenger services .

контракты operational barriers (track access conditions, infrastructureслужбы charging system, other operational facilities and services),

Рынки на железнодорожные грузоперевозки

the accessible market and the kind of terms and conditions of contract awards in уже полностью открыты для конкуренции с 2009, and

января 2007 года, в то время международные

access to sales services in passenger transport. пассажирские перевозки в январе 2010 года,

Open access with external RUs providing commercial national rail passenger services.

AT and CZ: commencing end of 2011, external RUs providing purely commercial national rail passenger services.

Source: Rail Liberalisation Index /commercial http://www.deutschebahn.com Figure 9: Purely rail passenger services in Europe

однако, на внутреннем рынке бытовых услуг пассажирских по-прежнему в значительной степени закрыты для конкуренции бастионы национальных монополий. Пакет IV Железнодорожный, предложив открытие Rail Liberalisation Index 2011 рынка для железнодорожного транспорта внутренних пассажирских услуг, улучшить качество и эффективность услуг для железнодорожного транспорта становится все более привлекательным для пассажиров.

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

A clear distinction is evident for most Eastern European countries where, according to the

57

EUROPEAN RAIL CONGRESS

Annual Rail Awards and Summit Scheduled to arrive in London on 12 November 2013

SIIM KALLAS European Transport Commissioner Keynote Speaker & Judge

BRIAN SIMPSON MEP Chair of European Parliament’s Transport & Tourism Committee & Chair of Judging Panel

MATTHIAS RUETE Director-General, European Commission, DG MOVE & Chair of Technical Panel

The new European Rail Congress, a two day industry Summit and annual Rail Awards ceremony, provides a dynamic platform for key rail sector ďŹ gures right across the European continent to highlight and reward best practice as well as discuss and debate key challenges and opportunities for European rail.

Entries will be accepted online at www.europeanrailcongress.com up to 19 April 2013.

Entries will be assessed by a judging panel of MEPs and an expert advisory technical panel.

Winners of the prestigious awards will be announced at an Awards Ceremony and Dinner at the 2013 European Rail Congress in London 12 to 13 November 2013. europeanrailcongress.com

26 leaders

Four years after the launch of the UITP strategy on doubling the public transport market share by 2025, PTx2, results are visible, as more and more countries are trying to adapt their lifestyle, investments and policies to increasing and developing public transport. The 60th edition of the International UITP Congress (Geneva, 2630 May 2013), attracted more participants (+34%), from 78 countries. This indicates that the industry in the sustainable mobility sector expands rapidly and gains importance in terms of economic development.

UITP has developed urban mobility scenarios for 2025 which accentuate the urgent need to improve the quality of the entire public transport system. According to scenarios, 60% of the world’s population will live in urban areas by 2025, which means that mobility needs in the urban area will increase by 50% (compared to 2005). Consequently, it will be necessary to transform mobility by promoting public transport, to deliver competitive services that would reduce the use of motorized transport means. It is also necessary to promote transport as essential element for attracting investments and social inclusion and to increase its popularity among citizens and suppliers. www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

leaders

27

Public transport is a major ingredient of the city life Interview with Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General

To get into the details on the way in which the UITP strategy, PTx2, but also UITP’s latest approach on public transport (Grow with Public Transport), are understood by the authorities, operators and users, the differences between regions in stimulating public transport, the promotion of these services as economic and social importance, the need to attract investments and the place of electric transport, we have discussed with Alain Flausch, UITP Secretary General, in an interview for Railway Pro.

RailwayPRO: How comes this new brand “Grow with Public Transport” and what is meant to be new compared to PTx2?

Alain Flausch: The idea was that PTx2 was very well understood by the people of the transport community, but it didn’t mean much to politicians, decisionmakers, PTx2 is a nice name, but it can hardly mean something for the general public and for the decision-makers. So in order to maintain the momentum of the PTx2 strategy, we thought it would be interesting to create a more popular type of

label, of motto, so we looked around for “to grow with” and we played with it and the idea was to have a friendly picture of people using public transport, being into a public transport environment. It actually came from my previous job, when I was CEO of STIB in Brussels, we had a campaign also with people, a very successful campaign in the city, and I transferred it here in a different way, because it used to be coloured, here is black and white, on purpose, just to make it different and it can be a very nice way to federate all the public transport companies. As you may know, we are going to organise during the

“

PTx2 is supposed to stimulate the entire transport sector, there are plenty of places in the world where ridership has grown ...

Alain Flausch third week of September, during the European Mobility Week, a day where we hope that many of our members will use that campaign to post on the flank of either tramways or buses and then we will also make a TV video showing that all over the world on that day of that week, many public transport operators will be using this and will make the argument for public transport.

RailwayPRO: At the same time, do you think that this campaign should be a standard all over the world or it can be adapted?

Alain Flausch: It is adapted. It is not just about the UITP, it can be used by all local public transport operators. Of course they can choose the type of picture, the only requirement that we have is that they stay in the same area. For instance, in Portugal they hired a very nice girl, who looks very Portuguese, but they kept exactly the same format. So basically, the UITP doesn’t care about whether it is in Romania or in Belgium, but if one sees RATP in Paris together with UITP, at least we > June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

28 leaders > can do an event of the fact that every-

body is using this campaign. So there will be a world movement to some extent.

RailwayPRO: Because of the financial crisis that is already expanding on five years, did you notice if there is a tendency in emerging countries of reducing public transport?

Alain Flausch: PTx2 is supposed to stimulate the entire transport sector, there are plenty of places in the world where ridership has grown and there are more and more people with no car. For example, in Brussels, the ridership has doubled in 10 years and the trend continued in France, in Germany etc., not at the same pace, of course.

RailwayPRO:Unfortunately, in Romania, and in Eastern Europe in general, the trend is going down, the number of trips has reduced, especially in public transport.

Alain Flausch: That is special to your region, but it is also because you have started very high. I remember in the Czech Republic, public transport had 80% and then it went down because the car was gaining momentum, but that’s something that will stop. At some point in time, car meant freedom, especially after the communist era, which was more collective than individual. In 2001, I went to Poland and I met the Minister of Transport and listened to his speech and he was talking about having received EU funds. 97% of it was dedicated to roads and infrastructure rehabilitation and, indeed, the whole road system was in poor shape, so I thought it was normal to invest in roads. But then I told him that it was ok to do that with the first EU funds, but that they shouldn’t do the same mistakes that we did in Brussels in the 60s and the 70s in relying on cars and buses. He said that, from the political viewpoint, he couldn’t do differently, but today Poland is investing in public transport.

RailwayPRO: In Romania it is difficult to introduce regular bus services to the suburbs of a city or to its neighbouring villages because of the poor shape of roads and this is a problem for operators.

Alain Flausch: This is exactly UITP’s belief, that there is no universal solution and no universal situation, the situation in Eastern Europe is different from Western Europe, it’s different from the USA, from Asia, from Africa and every time our goal is to try and find common grounds and try to take examples and recipes from other places.

RailwayPRO: But I think it is important to compare present times instead of past-present times, as I was talking with some of the participants, they compared Eastern Europe with Germany in the 60s or 70s so in 2013, I don’t want to imagine that Eastern Europe will only be there in 2050...

Alain Flausch: No, you will go much faster...When you look at the Chinese or the Indians, they have developed very rapidly and they don’t have the same background as you do, Eastern Europe was a very developed region in the past. They go fast, but they don’t go deep. The Chinese are making mistakes, they think that they know, but I think they should have taken more time to absorb the knowledge. I believe it is different in Eastern Europe, because it was a solid ground there and it is still there and I think you will be able to catch up very much faster.

RailwayPRO: I remember an analysis I’ve seen two years ago regarding the Chinese public transport market and the share of public transport was 15-20%. A large share of individual transport went to bicycles and a little share to the car. In time, the share of private cars went up shrinking that of bikes and public transport remained more or less the same. So when people found out they had money, they chose private cars, at least this is my explanation.

Alain Flausch: Yes, but today in Europe the bike has come up dramatically. Because when people don’t want to go by car because they think it is too congested, the fastest way to move in a city is the bike.

RailwayPRO: In order to help develop public transport, do you think that a more regulated or unregulated market would be helpful for getting access to funds?

Alain Flausch: I don’t think that nonregulation would help funding public transport easier. I think that some sort of non-regulation is interesting in terms of efficiency, because if you have to make profit out of a contract, obviously you’ll be >

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

leaders

> careful with spending the money. Also,

if you are responsible for your net profit, you’ll take care of your client more than if you are in a monopoly situation, the old public monopolies have been very bad in terms of client orientation. So, some sort of non-regulation is useful, but public transport is a major ingredient of the city life so it has to be done in a framework which is defined by the state or by the region or by the city, which then can tender part of the service, but in a logistic approach, because territorial space is very important. So, I’m kind of a promoter of the type of the regulation that Europe is promoting that is a choice for the competent authority either to give the business to its in-house operator or the right to have some sort of tendering in a regulated manner. I think the French are doing fine, I think the British are doing fine and I see that the German model is also efficient. I’m not sure that there is one-size-fits-all. It’s a choice that politicians should make and it has been quite successful in Germany and in England as well.

RailwayPRO: But, in all these countries that you’ve mentioned, also in Belgium and Denmark, the public authority is very involved in the design of the network, in setting the routes and maybe even in setting the timetable compared to the actual trend in Eastern Europe where because there is no money, the public authority wants to withdraw…

Alain Flausch: Yes, but I think it’s a pity…because if you just go commercial, there are plenty of people who will want a good service and I think the state should not bend on this, it is the role of the city, of politicians to design the city, what sort of city do I want, do I want everybody to move, there is a right to move and if you relegate people in places where they cannot move, then you will have the case of the suburbs around Paris where people are poor and there is violence and so on. I think that the social inclusion part of transport is also important and that is a duty of the state and it requires money, of course, but it is a choice. If you don’t provide people with transportation than you get in other troubles, as collateral damages.

RailwayPRO: The existence of the actual transport service is sometimes more important than the comfort inside the vehicles, if you don’t find a bus, or a tram or a train in your station, there’s no use if the vehicles are fitted with WiFi...

you think that promoting the existing transport services and attracting people to public transport will make public transport more popular or we only have to wait for investments, to complain about poor services to suburbs and in cities? In Eastern Europe, the current pressure is to be commercially efficient rather than a tool for social inclusion.

Alain Flausch: It should be a mix; it is a pity to go one way or the other.

An only social service is not the way we want to convince even richer people to use public transport. Public transport is a mode of transportation for everybody.

The state should, at the same time, enhance and stimulate client orientation, but they should continue to subsidize public transport in some parts of the cities where the service is not competitive.

Unfortunately, the national institutions, we’ve seen this now even in Western Europe, have this new recipe of cutting everything, but cutting the state subsidies has led to recession. Obviously, the state may need to have some savings. Personally, I think that the recipe of institutions such as the IMF has led us to recession. There are two things that I can say in that regard: regarding operators, at some level we have to maintain the service because we do not want to relegate the people away from society. It is a choice. Public transport and mobility used to be considered a second choice, first there was health, education and so on. Today, we have to review this priority; we have to admit that mobility is a priority too. Some of the money that was given to education or to health also makes some savings because social security is awfully expensive, so if we were running social security more efficiently, maybe we would have some money spared for mobility. In the past 12 years, I’ve seen that there is a change in the government priorities, at least in some countries. Suddenly, because of congestion and under the pressure of the citizens and climate change, there is now a pressure on the politicians. Mobility is now an irritating issue that they have to fix. I’m very convinced that there are public service obligations and that those public service obligations are just a duty that the payer and the user are financing, even if the taxpayer is paying more than the user to maintain the social peace of the city.

Alain Flausch: It is our right to go to school, it is our right to go to work, to move, it is one of the fundamental rights that we have.

RailwayPRO: Nowadays electric buses have become quite fashionable. Since we are at the beginning of this services and taking in consideration the experience that we have with the trams and the metros, do you think that is should be a standardization or should we let every city to decide what it’s best for them?

RailwayPRO: Based on your experience as head of a transport operator, do

Alain Flausch: It’s the chicken and the egg situation there. The manufacturers are

29

ready to produce electric cars and electric buses but there is no infrastructure to make that choice. I believe that there is a draft regulation according to which every country will be forced to have the minimal infrastructure, for example Germany would have 3,000 places to load your electric car. Once you have this minimal standardized infrastructure, then people can go with this choice and buy electric cars and public transport operators will also buy first hybrid and then full-electric buses.

But first of all we need the infrastructure and then the market would develop.

RailwayPRO: But are you confident that electric traction will be successful in the next decade?

Alain Flausch: My perception is that there is a strong push to electric mobility.

In Vienna, for instance, they have set for themselves targets of passing from 49% of electric mobility today to 60% in ten years. It’s becoming really a target for the city to try to reach that percentage, which is very good. I believe we have to do it, we have to move to electric buses on the longrun. In the meantime, I’ve seen that Volvo is developing hybrids, they think that they will be valid in ten years and that full electric buses will not be a solution before and I think they are right. When you see the savings that you can do in consumption with hybrid buses, I think it is really worth trying. There is also the biogas. In the north of France in Lille they have a plant which uses the waste to make gas for 200 buses.

Общественный транспорт является существенной составляющей городской жизни Четыре года спустя после запуска стратегии МСОТ об удвоении доли рынка общественного транспорта к 2025 году - PTx2, результаты не заставляют себя ждать. Всё больше государств пытаются адаптировать свой образ жизни, инвестиции и политики для роста и развития общественного транспорта. Для того, чтобы узнать более подробно о том, как воспринимается стратегия МСОТ PTx2 властями, операторами и пользователями, о различиях между регионами в плане поощрения общественного транспорта, о продвижении этих важных услуг с экономической и социальной точки зрения, о необходимости привлечения инвестиций и о месте общественного транспорта, Генеральный секретарь МСОТ Алан Флауш дал интервью нашему журналу.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

30 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Franchise or concession agreements reduce costs and improve productivity

[ by Pamela Luică ]

Awarding franchise contracts for passenger transport services aims at increasing the performance of delivering efficient transport services. The policies launched in Great Britain are aimed at encouraging operators to invest in improving services and the facilities available to passengers. “Our commitment towards long-run franchises that offer an optimized programme of railway operators’ investments will facilitate these investments”, shows the “Railway Reform Book” published in March 2012 by the British authorities.

T

he document encourages measures aimed at reforming the franchise system. It includes measures aimed at launching more flexible franchise specifications to enable the operators to answer to new requirements, while still protecting the interests of taxpayers. Among other fiscal measures, mechanisms and facilities, the reform encourages longer franchises giving train operators stronger incentives to invest, more flexibility about how services are configured, but with the Govern-

ment continuing to specify a core level of services, outcome-based requirements, for instance on customer satisfaction and performance to ensure that train operators’ interests are better aligned with those of passengers.

For this purpose, at the beginning of the year, Transport for London (Tf L) extended by 18 months the contract with Serco Docklands for the operation of Docklands Light Railway (DLR). The value of the extension of the contract in force until Sep-

tember 2014 is of GBP 100 Million (EUR 119 Million), the company being responsible for delivering services, infrastructure and rolling stock maintenance. In fact, the extension of the contract awarded by Tf L is the outcome of Serco Docklands’ success during the Olympic Games when it carried 7.2 million passengers (an increase of over 100% in the number of passengers).

DLR is one of the first light rail systems in Great Britain being equipped with the

Stratford International Stratford

Stratford High Street

Pudding Mill Lane Abbey Road

West Ham Bow Church

Stratford International extension Devons Road

Bank extension Bank Tower Gateway

Star Lane

Beckton

Langdon Park Canning Town Shadwell

Limehouse

Poplar

Westferry

Royal Victoria

All Saints

Custom House for ExCeL

Beckton extension Prince Regent

Royal Albert

Beckton Park

Cyprus

East India Blackwall

West India Quay

West Silvertown

Canary Wharf

Pontoon Dock

Gallions Reach

London City Airport King George V

Heron Quays

London City Airport extension South Quay

Original DLR routes

Crossharbour

Existing extensions

Mudchute

Woolwich Arsenal extension Woolwich Arsenal

Island Gardens

Cutty Sark for Maritime Greenwich

Lewisham extension

Greenwich Deptford Bridge

Elverson Road

Lewisham

Source: www.tfl.gov.uk

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Policies & Strategies

Michael Robson: It is favourable to both parties and most importantly the passengers as it allows time for all the necessary documentation and staff to be in place for the start of services by the new franchisee so that the passenger is not inconvenienced in any way.eg season tickets for monthly/annual travel are valid on the new operators services.

photo: Club Feroviar

Sir Michael Robson at Club Feroviar Conference - Sibiu, Feb. 2013

most modern automatic train control systems in the world. It is 27km long and has 34 stations with 70 light rail vehicles running and, according to Serco, the company’s development strategy includes more projects for the extension of the system.

Nevertheless, in April 2013, Tf L nominated four bidders for a franchise on the operation of Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London starting with September 2014. The selected bidders are Stagecoach Rail Projects, a JV of Keolis (UK) and Amey Rail and another JV including Go Ahead, Colas Rail and Serco. Thus, Tf L issues an invitation to bid to shortlisted companies and then it will select the winner.

Tf L wants to make sure that within the new franchise the reliability of the new service will continue to improve and that maintenance works will be carried out on the long term on rolling stock, stations and lines. The new franchise will start operation on 14 September 2014. Although the short list of bidders was published this year, companies will have little time to complete legal procedures and to draft the projects necessary to the development of services and of the transport system. To find out more about the advantages that franchises have for operators, authorities and passengers and about the importance of this concept in the development of public transport, Sir Michael Robson, Managing Director of Robson’s International Rail Consultancy has answered a few questions for us.

Railway PRO: At the end of April, Transport for London (Tf L) has nominated four offers for a franchise on the operation of Docklands Light Railway (DLR) in London. Although the contract will be signed this year, the franchise will become effective starting with September

31

2014. How does the principle according to which the franchise enters operation one year after the conclusion of the contract operate?

Michael Robson: In order to ensure a smooth transfer of the franchise it is necessary to have a period of between 6 months and a year to complete the legal formalities. These formalities would include but not limited to the following: ensuring that a large enough performance bond was in place to cover any default by the new franchisee; recruiting and training new senior staff, as it is usual that when a franchise changes the senior staff leave; organising for the transfer of the remaining staff to the new company including bank details etc; preparing and printing new publicity with a different company logo; organising new premises for the HQ of the new company; creating a new lease for the rolling stock to the new franchisee if required; setting up new contracts for the supply of goods and services; dealing with station/train depot access issues; obtaining a safety certificate for the new operator.

Railway PRO: What is the goal of this practice keeping in mind that the beginning of the activity occurs one year after the conclusion of the contract?

Michael Robson: To ensure that there is a seamless handover from the old to the new franchise operator and that the passenger is not inconvenienced. This process has operated on many changeovers on the main line network with no problems at all and is proven way to ensure a smooth handover. It also ensures that there is adequate time to ensure that there are no surprises the day before the new operator takes over.

Railway PRO: Is this period of time favourable to the operator or to the authorities?

Railway PRO: Is this type of contract an example for the other European countries in delivering an efficient transport service?

Michael Robson: I would be strongly in favour of tendering all public rail services as I believe that by doing so the quality of the service offered to the customer improves through the provision of new/ refurbished rolling stock along with improved marketing providing new fares to attract people to use the train at off peak periods. Tendering can also drive down costs with reductions of up to 20% in terms of providing the service being achieved. In the UK, where all public rail services are franchised, passenger journeys last year were 1.44 billion which is the highest since the 1920’s with commuter traffic doubling into Birmingham. The tender for the new services may be via a franchise or concession agreement, both of which will drive down costs and improve productivity. The correct tendering of services also allows the tendering authority to see exactly how much the service provision will cost and allows them to take informed decisions on the future provision of services.

Франчайзинг или концессионное соглашение обусловливают сокращение затрат и оптимизацию производительности Заключение контрактов на условиях франчайзинга на услуги пассажирского транспорта касается повышения показателей результативности и обеспечения эффективного транспорта. Своими принятыми мерами Великобритания намеревается стимулировать операторов инвестировать в улучшение имеющихся услуг и льгот для пассажиров. Для того, чтобы узнать более подробно о преимуществах операторов, компетентных учреждений и пассажиров в контексте договоров на франчайзинг, а также о важности данного принципа для развития системы общественного транспорта, Управляющий директор компании Robson’s International Rail Consultancy Майкл Робсон дал нам интервью.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

32 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Single railway transport is essential [ by Elena Ilie ]

Increased competition should enhance the attractiveness of rail and make the sector more responsive to customers’ needs, allowing rail operators to compete with other modes. Passenger high speed services will make rail more competitive with regard to air and rail freight increasing market share and contributing to achieving climate change targets.

A

Source: ERA

national rules as access barriers for new entrants. According to the results of the targeted consultation, new entrants may inter alia face discrimination from National Safety Authorities (NSAs) when applying for safety certificate or during vehicle authorisation processes. Stakeholders reported more specifically that the processes leading to the delivery of safety certificate and vehicle authorisation are not sufficiently harmonised and transparent to prevent arbitrary and discriminative decisions

by NSAs. Notwithstanding its important role in creation of the European railway interoperability and safety legislation, it is evident that currently ERA does not have

photo: Club Feroviar

lthough in some member states, national railway authorities are generally operating efficiently, in other countries they don’t have enough staff or the procedures they manage are long and expensive. At the same time, interoperability and safety requirements which should have been aligned to the common EU norms are still very different at national level, blocking the market access especially for the new entrants. This problem affects rail freight transport mostly, as the markets have been opened to competition for several years. The new entrants, who often have limited human and financial resources, are relatively more vulnerable to the complexity of procedures and to the delays they cause. The current long and expensive procedures, especially those necessary for getting the authorisations for rolling stock and safety certificates for transport operators, are important factors which prevent the development and the operation of the EU railway market. Besides being complicated and slow, these procedures do not guarantee sufficient level of mutual recognition of certificates and authorisations. This negatively affects particularly new companies wishing to enter into the market, thus contributing to a low level of competition and lasting market distortions.

Many times, stakeholders also complained that national railway authorities may use technical arguments and a legacy of diverging and not always transparent

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

major control and oversight powers with regard to national railway authorities, infrastructure managers or market players. Its monitoring responsibilities are practically limited to monitoring of safety performance and of interoperability. Moreover, the Fourth Railway Package (for which a final vote is expected in July) proposes the enhancement of ERA’s role in improving the cross-acceptance of rolling stock in the Trans-European transport network.

Необходимо оказать содействие осуществлению единого железнодорожного транспорта Усиление конкуренции должно повысить привлекательность железнодорожного сектора и сделать его более чутким к потребностям клиентов, позволяя железнодорожным операторам конкурировать с другими видами транспорта. Услуги высокоскоростных железнодорожных пассажирских перевозок будут делать железнодорожный транспорт более конкурентоспособным по сравнению с воздушным транспортом, а доля рынка железнодорожных грузовых перевозок вырастет, тем самым способствуя достижению целей, установленных в сфере климатических изменений.

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34 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Croatia, the 28th member state of the European Union [ by Pamela Luică ]

At the end of March 2013, the European Commission adopted the last Monitoring Report on Croatia’s EU accession preparations. Croatia is ready to access the EU on 1 July 2013 becoming the 28 member state.

C

roatia applied for EU membership vernment drafted a plan aimed to align the in 2003, entered negotiations in national legislation to the European legisla2005 and ended negotiations in tion; the adaptation of 107 laws was neces2011 when the Accession Treaty was signed sary, as well as that of 191 decisions of local (in December 2011) following the Favour- authorities and 63 implementation meaable Opinion (October 2011) of the Com- sures. Also, the government drafted a plan mission and the Approval of the European of normative activities (also for 2013) and Parliament (December 2011). Therefore, a draft Strategy to review the efficiency of starting with 1 July 2013, Croatia will be- regulations over the coming 3 years in order come an EU member state, the Accession to create a better legislation and to reduce Treaty being ratified by all member states. costs; moreover, the government will pass During negotiations, Croatia has agreed 72 regulations, 61 of which will be submitto meet a series of commitments that has ted to this evaluation. to be completed until the accession, unTo prepare the country in view of the acless special transition directives have been cession, Croatian authorities will soon have established. The Commission has carefully to regulate a series of measures concerning monitored all the commitments the customswill law,bethe systeminofall taxes and The principles of equal opportunityassumed and non-discrimination respected areas ofthe bythe Croatia focusing on the competition organisation of the customs system. In May IPA programme. policy, the legal system, the fundamental 2013, the government already adopted a rights, justice, andwill security. draft law on theproject customs services aimed to Indicators of freedom achievement be included at programme and/or level.

Programmes “The reportmay is positive Croatia adapttherefore the regulations customs charges in and/orfinal projects benefitnews. several sectors and require of strong coordination hasstructures worked during hard and the paceand of reconformitystages with in theorder new obligations all kept programming implementation to achieve as theEU maximum impact. This coordination ensuredstate. by the National IPA Coordinator forms.

The country is now ready to role takeshould its be member (NIPAC) Croatia as well and as the Coordinator IPA Components III and administraIV. place in theinEU as planned weStrategic are lookAs offor 1 July, Croatia’s customs ing forward to completion of the ratifica- tion would not only protect borders from According to the Multi-annual Financial Framework for IPA the years tion of the Accession Treaty andIndicative welcoming illegal goods (MIFF) transport but for would be re6 , Croatia will receive an indicative allocation of about EUR 479 million pre2011-2013 Croatia in the EU on 1 July”, Commissioner sponsible for fiscal controls of EUofrevenue funds.and The European planned allocation per sectorwhich and permeans year is curbing presentedany below: foraccession Enlargement Neighbourform of imperhood Policy Štefan Füle said. missible conduct relating to customs and In EUR million At the end of 2012, the Croatian Go- Value Added Tax (VAT), Finance Minister Indicative Financial Allocationper per Sector Sector (€ million) Indicative Financial Allocation (euro million) 2011-2013

Period 2007 2010

Period 2011 - 2013

Justice and Home Affairs and Fundamental Rights

56.27

64.50

15 %

Public Administration Reform

17.93

8.60

2%

Environment and Climate Change

84.94

77.40

18 %

Transports

77.96

77.40

18 %

Private Sector Development

62.63

51.60

12 %

Social Development

30.81

60.20

Agriculture and Rural Development

127.32

90.30

Other (Acquis specific projects)

17.07

-

-

474.13*

430.00*

100 %

TOTAL

14 % 21 %

* This table does not include allocations for IPA Component II, Cross-border cooperation, which is dealt with in Source: European Commission a separate MIPD. www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Slavko Linic advised.

With the changes in addition to the central office, “four branch offices are being introduced in Zagreb, Osijek, Split and Rijeka, 18 customs offices in other areas of Croatia and 10 border customs offices. The customs administration will be restructured in hierarchy similar to the interior ministry in order to identify individual responsibilities within the system. That will complete the organisational changes and we will be ready for July 1”, Linic said.

“The government also adopted bills concerning certain customs items. Instead of two separate laws one unified law is being introduced with various tax rates and payment delays - special excises will no longer be paid at border crossings but when turnover of the products are realised”, he concluded.

Source: www.delhrv.ec.europa.eu

Хорватия - 28-е государство Европейского союза В конце марта 2013 года Европейская комиссия приняла последний отчет о мониторинге подготовки к вступлению Хорватии в ЕС. Хорватия готова вступить в ЕС начиная с 1 июля 2013 года, и тем самым стать 28-м государствомчленом данной организации. В конце 2012 года правительство Хорватии разработало план приведения национального законодательства в соответствие с европейским законодательством; на 2013 год было запланировано принятие 107 законов, 191 решения местных властей и 63 мер по их внедрению.

5.

Since 2001 the Commission has provided pre -accession assista n c e t o C ro a t i a t h ro u g h s e ve r a l i n s t r u m e n t s ( s e e Fi g u r e 1 ) 4 .

Policies & Strategies 35 I nitially, this was provided through the Communit y assistance for reconstruction, development and stabilisation (CARDS) p r o g r a m m e . T h e P h a r e p r o g r a m m e , t h e C o m m i s s i o n’s m a i n p re - a cces si o n i n st r u m e nt, wa s i nt ro d u ce d i n Cro at i a i n 2 0 0 5 .

I t was complemented by the I nstrument for Struc tural Policies fo r Pre - Acce s s i o n ( I S PA) , f i n a n c i n g i n f r a s t r u c t u re p ro j e c t s i n t h e t r a n s p o r t a n d e nv i ro n m e n t s e c t o r s a n d t h e p re c u r s o r o f t h e E U Co h e si o n Fu n d, a n d t h e sp e ci a l a cce ssi o n p ro gra m m e fo r r u ra l d e ve l o p m e nt ( S a p a rd ) w h i c h wa s s i m i l a r l y i nte n d e d as a precursor for the European Agricultural Fund for Rural De vel o p m e nt ( E A F R D) . Fro m 2 0 0 7 t h e se t h re e i n st r u m e nt s we[ re

by Pamela Luică ] replaced by the I nstrument for Pre -Accession (IPA), which pro v i d e s f u n d i n g o f a p p rox i m a t e l y 1 5 0 m i l l i o n e u ro p e r a n n u m t h ro ufrom g h f i ve c o m p o n efunds n t s ( s eto e Ta b l e 1economic ) . Fo l l o w i n ggrowth a c c e s s iand o n integration benefit European boost E U f u n d i n g to Cro at i a w i l l gre at l y i n cre a se.

Croatia prepares to access European funds As EU member state, Croatia will into European policies and programmes.

18 TA B L E 1

T

I PA A S S I S TA N C E TO C R O AT I A 2 0 0 7 – 1 3 ( M I L L I O N E U R O )

IPA assistance to Croatia 2007-13 (euro million) he economic situation is difficult; by 2009, the Croatian economy I. Transition has enjoyed 10 years of growth of IV. Human assistance and II. Cross-border III. Regional V. Rural foreign investments, together with a low Component resources Total institution cooperation development development development inflation, stable currency and infrastructure building development, but its investment activity 2 2 . has S e reduced v e r a l p r emostly - I PA p because r o j e c t s aof u dthe i t e dglobal b y t h e C o Totals u r t w e r e n o t 299 yet 105 379 104 184 1 071 (2007–13) re a d y t o b e i m p l e m e n t e d a f t e r t h e financin g a g re e m e n t h a d economic crisis and there are still structural Source: EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS b e e n s i gFor n e d.the T hfirst i s wquarter a s b e c aof u s2013, e t h e EC n e c e sSource: s a r y tCOM(2009) e r m s o f 543 re fefinal r - of 14 October 2009 — Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) — Multiannual problems. e n ce o r ate1% c h ndrop i c a l of s p ethe c i f GDP. i c at i o However, n s n e e d e d to e n a b l financial e tdeclared h e l aframework u n cBranko h indicative for 2011–13. estimated Strategy”, Grcic, Minister cohesion). Also, starting with 2008, the goo f te n d enecessary r s h a d n oto t bstructural e e n f i n a l economic i s e d by t h e Cro at i a n a u tDevelopment. h o r i t i e s. measures of Regional vernment has adopted the Conclusion on Thus the average time from the financing agreement to the reforms have been implemented in order to The programme consists in the conparticipating Special Report No 14/2011 – Has EU assistance improved Croatia's capacity to manage post-accession funding? to EU programmes, among te n d e r l a u n c h wa s 1 2 m o nt h s fo r t h e co nt ra c t s a u d i te d. Th e re optimise competitiveness other macro-economic which FP7, Marco Polo II, Customs 2013 was som e i m p r o v e m e nand t u ngrowing d e r I PA ,est h e cvergence o r r e s p o nto d i nthe g tim e timates.

In this context, in orderbut to there benefitremains projects and (programme which offers customs admibeing reduced to 8 months, scope forfiscal betterframeworks for short from ther mfuture and long term reforms and, according to nistrations the opportunity of cooperating p e r fo a n ce support i n t h i s aof rethe a . EU, “Croatia has to ensure an adequate administrative the programme adopted by authorities, in different areas), Framework programme capacity for the management of funds and Croatia’s GDP is estimated at a growth of for competitiveness and innovation (CIP), to initiate mature projects. These character- 0.7% (for 2013) and will be accelerated to next to other 11 programmes. istics are absolutely necessary for the effi- a growth of 2.4% (in 2014) and 3.5% (in Croatia will become eligible for structural cient use of structural and cohesion funds”, 2015 and 2016). and cohesion funds starting with the second declared Štefan Füle, the European ComIn order to support economic and social half of 2013 the total funds approved being missioner of Expansion and Neighbouring development, but also to encourage region- worth EUR 687.5 Million, the contribution Policy. al and cross-border cooperation and con- of the new EU member state to the comIn April, the Croatian Government adopt- solidate institutions, Croatia has benefited munity budget being of EUR 374 Million. ed the Economic Programme which is a pe- from financial support through the Instru- Funds for the financial assistance of Croatia riodical obligation of the accession. “With ment for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA) in 2013 amount to EUR 93.5 Million with the Economic Programme, Croatia has since 2007. Therefore, EU has allocated access to all the 5th CIP components (asaccessed the European semester, an instru- Croatia a financing worth EUR 998 Mil- sistance for transition and consolidation BLE 3 ment which coordinates EU economic poli- lion as future member state and the country of institutions, cross-border cooperation, I M Pand LEM E N TAT I O N O F the E UEurope A S S I S 2020 TA N C E can TO also C R Oabsorb AT I A other EU funds (structural, cies objectives within regional development, human resources ( M I L L I O N E U R O, M A R C H 2 0 1 1 ) development and rural development).

Implementation of EU assistance to Croatia (euro million, march 2011) Budget

% of budget contracted

% of budget paid1

CARDS

260

97 %

92 %

Phare

147

86 %

78 %

ISPA

59

96 %

63 %

Sapard

25

62 %

48 %

IPA I 2007

45

90 %

57 %

IPA I 2008

42

27 %

20 %

IPA I 2009

42

11 %

11 %

IPA II 2007–09

8

64 %

36 %

IPA III 2007–09 (of which)

143

29 %

7%

– Operational programme (OP) transport

54

20 %

4%

– OP environment

54

25 %

2%

– OP regional competitiveness

35

48 %

20 %

IPA IV 2007–09 — OP human resources development

38

71 %

9%

IPA V 2007–09 (IPARD) — Measures 101 and 103

51

12 %

0%

Total

860

68 %

55 %

Programmes in Croatia

Source: EUROPEAN COURT OF AUDITORS 1 Excluding advance payments of 30 % for Components III, IV, V.

Source: EU delegation to Croatia.

Хорватия готовится к усвоению европейских фондов В качестве государства-члена ЕС, Хорватия будет иметь доступ к европейским средствам, направленным на обеспечение экономического роста и на интеграцию в политическую жизнь Европы и на осуществление европейских программ. Но для того, чтобы в будущем пользоваться поддержкой со стороны ЕС, Хорватия должна обеспечивать адекватную способность управлять средствами и заниматься серьезными проектами. Данные характеристики абсолютно необходимы для эффективного использования структурных фондов и фондов сплочения.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

36 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Croatia, on the road to railway reform [ by Elena Ilie ]

Railway Reform in South East Europe and Turkey: On the Right Track?

Annexes

As of 1 July, Croatia joins the 27 member states of the European Union. A World Bank report shows 112: Railways Traffic, 2000-2009 that the state to the AdriaticFigure Sea has an Croatian increasing and competitive economy, as well as the appropriate institutional capacity to face the EU membership demands.

4,000

C

3,500

roatia is crossed by three pan-Euro- the railway with the highest traffic. For the projects for the reconstruction of the railway pean transport corridors and the au- moment, passenger and freight transport tunnels in the Sisak region in 2014.

3,000carried out complex invest- are not considered fully efficient, but the thorities ment programmes to develop the country’s decision-makers in the Croatian railway sec- Zagreb public transport: light rail or sections on 2,500 these three transport corridors. tor make significant efforts to improve the metro?

However, public money went to the road railway infrastructure, especially that on the transport sector, Winner of the European Mobility Week 2,000so that today the Croatian pan-European Corridor X. railway transport is confronted with many Croatian infrastructure manager HZ In- Award in 2012, the city of Zagreb plans to challenges and requires major investments frastruktura plans to invest EUR 2 Billion in reduce the use of individual vehicles by de1,500 into the Trans-Europe- the national section of Corridor X by 2020 veloping a more efficient and more attracto be fully integrated an transport network. to align it to European standards. By the end tive public transport system for its citizens.

The Croatian National Railway Company of 2020, the Croatian section of Corridor X Moreover, the support of cycling is one of 1,000 has gone through serious changes2001 and is now2002will be2003 modernised to permit the traffic of 2007 the measures aimed2009 to improve mobility in 2000 2004 2005 2006 2008 divided into five independent companies: trains at speeds of up to 160 km/h, will be the Croatian capital. (million HŽ Holding, HŽ Passenger Transport, HŽ Passenger fully doubled andpass-km) fitted with GSM-RFreight tech- (million The ton-km) over 800,000 people living in the city Cargo, Source: HŽ Infrastructure and HŽ Traction. nology. and the many tourists visiting the capital will UIC. Croatian Railways is still in a transition peSome sections have already been moder- enjoy the measures aimed to reduce traffic riod, the restructuring and privatisation of nised, other sections are under modernisa- congestion and to improve the services such certain are not fully finalized because tion and41 others are in the phase andof the as accessibility to theover public2005transport sys298.parts Rail traffic intensity rose from percent to design 53 percent EU average the company lacks a clearer strategy on the could be included in the applications for EU tem. The authorities have decided to adopt 2009.

In 2009, Croatia trafficmore units per railmeans route-km— future activities of the traffic railway intensity area. The in funds in 2015.stood In the at past1,643,775 ten years, major eco-friendly of transport, to inCroatian railway network has 2.723 km of investments have been carried out in the imtegrate the railway transport nearly double the traffic intensity in Serbia. Having peaked at 1,904,849 in 2007, before system beinginto the which 254 km of double track and 985 km provement and modernisation of the railway public transport system, but also to reduce of adversely electrified track.

Croatiabybenefits from of infrastructure, so that there are railway sec- from the impact of the company’s affected the impact the international financial crisis the last quarter of vehicles 2008, on the several important railway sections, part of tions on which the traffic speed is 120 km/h environment. railcoming traffic intensity rose by 26.6 over on 2005-2007 TrafficZagreb intensity is being them from Slovenia to Dobova via percent up to 160 km/h sections such(Figure as Zagreb –113).Currently, transport system relies Zagreb, to Slavonski Brod and to Tovarnik, Novska – Vinkovci.

According to the World on a mix of public transport pulled down by passenger services: in 2009, freight traffic intensity, at 969,886 traffic unitsvehicles per and from Zagreb to Osijek and then to the sec- Bank report, 756 km of railway line have individual cars. Urban transport has 19 tram rail route-km, was equal of the inEU Nevertheless, the intensity overallto night tions Zagreb – Rjeka, Zagreb – Split. to 75 percent been upgraded theaverage, past ten years.

For lines (four of which areofdedicated Croatia has railway connections to the bor2013, infrastructure plans to financial transport),repercussions 120 bus routes, both systems beinfrastructure usage remains below thetheEU average, manager with negative given ders with Hungary, Bosnia and Herzegovina implement several projects regarding the re- ing managed by Zagrebački električni tramhighThe fixed costs of railrailway infrastructure. andthe Serbia. most important construction and modernisation of Zagreb- vaj (ZET). Croatian Railways manages the line is Dobova – Tovarnik, part of the pan- Sisak section, part of the Turopolje-Velika commuter railway transport system providEuropean corridor X, electrified on most of Gorica line, Sisak-Petrinja and Sisak-Caprag- ing connection to the suburbs of the capital. its double rail sections; at the same time,Traffic it is Novska.

Moreover, launch campaigns of the canFigure 113: Croatia – Rail Intensity, 2005-the company Figure will 114: Croatia Different - Trafficelectoral Units per Staff and

2009 Croatia – Rail Traffic Intensity, 2005-2009

Croatia - TrafficStaff UnitsLevels per Staff and Staff Levels

2,000,000

54%

410,000

14,400

1,900,000

52%

390,000

14,200

50%

370,000

14,000

1,800,000

48%

1,700,000

46%

1,600,000

44%

1,500,000

42%

1,400,000

40% 2005

2006

Croatia

Source: UIC. www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

2007

2008

2009

13,800

350,000

13,600

330,000

13,400

310,000

13,200

290,000

13,000

270,000

12,800

250,000

12,600 2005

2006

2007

Traffic units/staff

% of EU average

Source: UIC.

2008

2009 Staff

Railway Reform in South East Europe and Turkey: On the Right Track?

Annexes Policies & Strategies

37

Figure 112: Croatian Railways Traffic, 2000-2009 Croatian Railways Traffic, 2000-2009

4,000

3,500 3,000

2,500 2,000

1,500 1,000 2000

2001

2002 2003 2004 2005 Passenger (million pass-km)

Railway Reform in South East Europe and Turkey: On the Right Track?

2006 2007 2008 Freight (million ton-km)

2009

Annexes

didates to head Source: UIC.of the city have often an- ground line. This mode of transport is aimed nounced projects for the construction of to complete the tram transport system and Figurein115: Rail Network Croatia a second rail transport system theThe city, the railofcommuter system. The authorities more construction of an underoften building 298.precisely Railthe traffic intensity rose have from 41mentioned percentthetoidea 53ofpercent

a light rail system (rapid tram) instead of an underground metro system, but both variants have so far been abandoned because of of funds. oflackthe EU average over 2005Various studies have emphasized the ne2009. In 2009, traffic intensity in Croatia stood at 1,643,775 traffic pera light railrailroute-km— cessityunits to build line instead of an underground metro system, because the nearly double the traffic intensity in Serbia. Having peaked at 1,904,849 inbe2007, before being former would less expensive.

The construction of an underground sysadversely affected by the impact of the international financial crisis from the last quarter of 2008, tem will cost twice as much as a light rail.

ExpertsTraffic have pro and against arguments. rail traffic intensity rose by 26.6 percent over 2005-2007 (Figure 113). intensity is beingA metro system could carry 70,000 passengers pulled down by passenger services: in 2009, freight traffic intensity, at 969,886 units an hour, while a lighttraffic rail system couldper only carry 24,000 passengers per hour.

However, rail route-km, was equal to 75 percent of the EU average, Nevertheless, the intensity of overall experts estimated a maximum volume of passengers per hour for 2020, consiinfrastructure usage remains below the EU average, with negative7,000 financial repercussions given dering the fact that Zagreb population the high fixed costs of rail infrastructure. doesn’t exceed 1 million people. Therefore, it seems that odds are for the light rail system.

According to the municipality’s plans, four or five-light rail lines couldper be built in Zagreb.

Figure 113: Croatia – Rail Traffic Intensity, 2005Figure 114: Croatia Traffic Units Staff and They will have a total length of 25 km in the 2009 Staff Levels underground and 55 at surface. The cost of the entire project was estimated at EUR 5.5 2,000,000 54% 410,000 14,400 Billion and necessary works could expand up to 20 years.

14,200 390,000 52%

1,900,000

50%

1,800,000

48%

1,700,000

46%

1,600,000

44%

1,500,000

42%

1,400,000

40% 2005

2006

Croatia

Source: UIC.

2007

2008

2009

14,000

370,000

Хорватия на пути железнодорожной реформы

350,000 330,000 310,000

13,800 13,600 13,400 13,200

290,000

270,000 250,000 2005

% of EU average

Source: UIC.

С 1 июля Хорватия присоединится к 27 13,000 государствам-членам Европейского союза.

12,800 В докладе Всемирного банка указывается, что государство, расположенное на12,600 берегу Адриатического моря, имеет растущую 2006 2007 2008 2009 и конкурентоспособную экономику и адекватный институциональный Traffic units/staff Staff потенциал для соответствия всем требованиям, предъявленным в отношении стран-членов ЕС. Хорватию пересекают три общеевропейских транспортных коридора, а власти провели обширную программу инвестиций в развитие хорватских отсеков этих трех транспортных коридоров.

Source: World Bank.

299. Despite recent investments, there is a significant maintenance backlog in rail substructure and superstructure. There have been major infrastructure improvements over the

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

38 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

Priority investments aim at modernising Corridor X [ by Pamela Luică ]

Since Croatia will become an EU member, the financing possibilities of projects will increase significantly, emphasizing here the importance of the transport segment. As the transport system is among EU’s priorities within the cohesion and structural funds, Croatia will obviously benefit from this financing more than it did before.

A

lthough a small state, Croatia is crossed by important transport corridors X, Vb, Vb1 (corridors which represent a connection between the ports of the Adriatic Sea and the destinations of the Eurasian area), Vc and Corridor VII, the investments granted to infrastructure modernisation projects being vital for positioning Croatia in the European transport system, but also in relation with the neighbouring states in the East.

Thus, within the EU, the main objective of SOP-T as regards Croatia is to grant investments to projects that have an impact on the railway infrastructure modernisation along TEN-T, the Corridors X and V and, at the same time, the purpose of the programme is to continue the preparation of the future modernisation projects and to improve inland waterway transport (on Corridor VII).

In the railway infrastructure segment, at the moment Croatia is initiating important projects for integration in the EU network, and the authorities in charge are elaborating future projects. According to the railway infrastructure manager (HZ Infrastruktura),

EUR 3.3 Billion should be invested by 2017 in modernising the infrastructure. “The company will start the project implementation this very year by rehabilitating 100 km of railway line a year. HZ Infrastruktura will apply for funding from the EU’s cohesion and structural funds, as soon as Croatia joins the bloc in July”, stated HZ Infrastruktura’s CEO Darko Perisic. The first three projects concern the reconstruction of Dugo SeloKrizevci railway line and the construction of Podsused-Samobor and Gradec-Sveti Ivan Zabno lines, all located in the central part of Croatia. In April, HZ Infrastruktura announced the launch of the tender for the modernisation of the railway line which connects the Hungarian border to Botovo and Dugo Selo, works on the line Koprivnica-Botovo-border being estimated at EUR 17 Million, the company announced.

The authorities also plan to invest EUR 2 Billion in the national section of Corridor X by 2010, to bring it to European standards.

By the end of 2020, the Croatian segment of Corridor X will be modernised to allow the traffic of trains at speeds up to 160 km/ hour, will be completely doubled and will

Pre-accession plans

be equipped with the GSM-R technology.

Certain sections have already been modernised, others are being modernised and others are in the phase of design and will be included in applications for EU funds as of 2015.

In addition, works have kicked off on the reconstruction project for the Sisak railway station and the construction of a walkway over the Sisak-Caprag line, at a cost of EUR 6.1 Million.

The reconstruction of the railway station, worth EUR 5.25 Million, includes the upgrade of three tracks and a pedestrian crossing as well as the construction of the sewage and drainage, lighting, access systems etc.

Works should be completed by the end of 2014.

By the end of the year, the infrastructure manager plans to implement a number of railway projects aiming at the reconstruction and modernisation of Zagreb-Sisak sections, part of the Turopolje-Velika Gorica track, the Sisak-Petrinja railway and Sisak-CapragNovska rail track. In addition, for next year, the company will launch reconstruction projects of tunnels in the Sisak region and estimates the completion of the modernization project of the Okucani-Novska railway section. Funds amounting to EUR 40 Million are awarded for its implementation, the contract including also signalling and telecommunications works for approximately 20 km of double line for the Okučani – Novska sections, in Okučani and Halt Rajić stations, on Corridor X.

Приоритетные инвестиции касаются модернизации Коридора Х

Source: HZ Infrastrucktura

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

По сегменту железнодорожной инфраструктуры Хорватия в настоящее время осуществляет важные проекты интеграции в сеть ЕС, а ответственные структуры разрабатывают будущие проекты. Согласно администратору железнодорожной инфраструктуры (ХЖ Инфраструктура), до 2017 года будет вкладываться 3,3 млрд. евро в модернизацию инфраструктуры.

Mobility

39

The current situation of public transport is no longer an option [ by Elena Ilie ]

In most situations, in large urban agglomerations, territorial expansions to suburbs have made public transport or other similar alternatives no longer attractive compared to private cars. A vicious circle has been created: the low public transport demand has triggered fewer resources for this type of services and it has all climaxed in a poorer offer from public transport operators.

I

n order to break this vicious circle, the city planners and public transport decision makers (local, regional and national) have to focus their strategies on renewing transport vehicles, but also on developing a connection between public transport and urban planning. Urban mobility is a constantly growing concern for the citizens. Nine out of ten EU citizens believe that the situation of traffic in their area should improve. The development of efficient transport systems in urban areas has become a task which grows in complexity considering both traffic congestion in the city and the accelerated urban expansion.

The main responsibilities on urban mobility policies are those of local, regional and national authorities. However, the decisions adopted at local level are not made individually, but they are integrated within the national, regional and European legislations. Consequently, the Commission believes that a lot of progress can be achieved towards supporting local, regional and national activities and elaborating a joint approach that would fully observe the different competencies and responsibilities of concerned parties.

It is also necessary to rethink the strategies on the extension of the tram, metro or light rail networks and even for the construction of new such networks.

“By 2050, most of passenger transport operations on medium distances (starting with 300 km) would be done on railways”, say EU policies.

Prognoses for 2030 and 2050 look good on paper, it seems that we have already eliminated the polluting factor from urban transport….But if we take a closer look to what is happening now in most European cities and metropolitan areas and if we don’t start using and investing in electrified city transport and in supporting its extension, we will not be able to meet this objective and we will still have draft projects in 2030-2050.

Environmentally friendly policies have been introduced in many cities across the EU. Action at EU level can help strengthen markets for new, clean vehicle technologies and alternative fuels. This will directly support EU industry, promote healthy environments and contribute to the recovery of the European economy.

The current situation regarding accessibi-

lity in the EU suggests that there is a strong difference between central and peripheral areas in terms of connectivity and transport costs. The suburbs have higher average transport costs, explained not only by the need for longer trips, but also by the more expensive or less efficient transport solutions that are available.

The various modes would in general keep their relative share in the absence of significant policy changes.

Road transport would maintain its dominant role in both passenger and freight transport within the EU, with passenger cars still contributing more than two thirds to total passenger transport in 2050. High congestion levels would seriously affect road transport in several member states by 2030 without effective countervailing measures such as road pricing. While urban congestion will mainly depend on car ownership levels, the extent of urban sprawl and the degree of availability of public transport alternatives, congestion on the inter-urban network would be the result of growing freight transport activity along specific corridors, in particular where these corridors cross urban areas with heavy local traffic.

Сохранение нынешнего положения общественного транспорта не является жизнеспособным вариантом

Source: www.eea.europa.eu

В большинстве случаев, в крупных городах территориальное расширение в сторону окраин сделали общественный транспорт и другие альтернативы менее привлекательными по сравнению с транспортом на собственном автомобиле. Практически образовался порочный круг: низкий спрос на общественный транспорт привел к выделению ему меньших ресурсов, а в итоге образовалось более слабое предложение услуг общественного транспорта.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

40 Metropolitan

Recent estimates show that

The decision on free public transport services in Tallinn was the right thing to do [ by Pamela Luică ]

Estonia is one of the European countries which have lately tried to adapt to new requirements on economic and social growth struggling to answer to development and modernization needs in a new and revolutionary way.

E

stonia was the first of the former soviet countries to adopt the Euro currency, being a promoter of the free market, providing facilities to foreign investors and privatising the important sectors of the economy. After these modernisation policies, Estonia has kept going and has launched a new challenge to European countries: since the beginning of this year, Tallinn, the capital city of Estonia, has become the largest city to provide free public transport services to its citizens.

Before introducing free public transport services, the authorities have launched a referendum (in March 2012), where 75.5% of the citizens voted “for” the launch of free public transport services and the rest of 24.5% were against.

In 2012, before introducing free public transport services, the authorities implemented a series of measures including the extension of the transport network including the bus lines (in 2012), the merger of the two city companies which provided transport services (in June 2012), the decision of the Local Council on the application of the measure (voted in September 2012 and in force since 1 January 2013) and the implementation of the new payment systems (contactless payment since September 2012).

With a population of 425,000 citizens, Tallinn owns 480 public transport vehicles (buses, trams, trolleybuses) and the budget allocated to public transport in 2012 was of EUR 53 Million. “Total revenues www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

from tickets are worth EUR 17 Million, EUR 5 Million coming from those who are not citizens of the city. In this context, studies showed that free public transport costs the citizens an annual EUR 12 Million”, declared Tõnu Karu, Representative of Tallinn at the European Union, during the conference “Optimisation of railway passenger transport services” organized by Club Feroviar and the Romanian Railway Industry Association.

When adopting the policy on the provision of free transport services, the authorities have considered four aspects related to the social, economic, environmental and fiscal segments. From the social point of view, the stress has fallen on guaranteeing mobility for the residents with small revenues or for the unemployed because the use of public transport facilitates the use of common spaces for the different segments of the society; the economic aspect has focused on increasing the mobility of the work force in the space limits of the city, stimulating the activity of consumers and directing the savings from public transport to other goods and local services. As regards the environment, the authorities have implemented this project to encourage modal shift and to attract the people using individual transportation to public transport while considering the well-known characteristics of urban transport: increased air quality, reduced pollution and noise level, as well as the development of urban areas.

As part of the fiscal activity, the authorities in Tallinn see a strong motivation for registering the residency of the citizens in Tallinn, thus increasing the income tax.

New financing sources have thus been identified and “since January 2012, a 2% growth of the people registered as Tallinn residents has been noticed (9,000 persons) which increases the city’s revenues coming from the income taxes. Also, the two public transport companies have merged leading to significant operating cost savings; moreover, parking spaces have been extended

and parking charges have been increased”, explained Tõnu Karu.

The application of all these measures has already generated an increase in public transport attractiveness as more and more passengers have chosen public transport (the number of people travelling by bus has increased by 14%) and this also included the establishment of new types of passengers in workdays, in the evening or in weekends. Moreover, road traffic in the city centre dropped by 15%.

In order to increase the share of public transport, the authorities have implemented projects to upgrade services. “The satisfaction level of passengers has improved along with the modernisation of the ticketing system as they got used to the new system, the transport timetables are more precise, as 79% of the passengers believe; also, 60% of the people using public transport say they use public transport because it is free. Among passengers, the positive evaluation of different aspects is of 57%-83%.

The benefits of free public transport for the environment, the social segment and the economic sector encourage us to continue with what we’re doing” added Karu.

The development plan of the Estonian capital is very ambitious as the authorities plan to candidate for the title of the European Green Capital 2018. Free public transport is the first step in this process.

The authorities could also launch debates on the supply of other free public services.

Tõnu Karu, Representative of Tallinn at the European Union, talks in an interview about the increasing quality of public transport in European cities, its role in economic development, as well as the necessity and the challenges brought by the decision of delivering free public transport services.

Railway PRO: Can a city really adopt a new lifestyle in terms of public transport?

What are the challenges met in changing the lifestyle of a city?

Metropolitan 41

Railway PRO: What is the role of public transport in the economic development of a city and of a country?

Tõnu Karu: Efficient public transport is most important tool to guarantee the movement of people between their homes, jobs, service districts, leisure areas etc. It enables the residents to save their personal time, their money and so increases the economic efficiency.

Line network tallinn

Source: ‘Steps towards free public transport in Tallinn’, Taavi Aas Deputy mayor

Tõnu Karu: It would be impossible to continue the unlimited growth and the increasing number of private cars in the traditional cities of Europa. Streets are not designed to meet all the cars. The air pollution with CO2 and dust as well as noise pollution are dangerous for all inhabitants, including the children and elderly people.

Parking the cars in the central location is expensive and increasing the tariffs for parking does not solve the problem.

The parking places in the residential regions take away the valuable land for green areas, playgrounds and recreation paths.

The growing number of private cars means heavy traffic jams and the average cruising speed is getting lower in reality. It means the time lost for the family, friends and hobbies.

For many people the private car has been a status symbol in kind. It is the challenge for the municipalities to promote alternative lifestyle to use bicycles, more walking and using the public transport. Fortunately the younger generation in their twenties is not so much addicted to have their private cars. If needed occasionally, they are easy to rent cars or use car-sharing.

Railway PRO: How can the quality of public transport be improved in the European cities?

Tõnu Karu: The cities should have the development of public transport as the high priority in their development strategies. It means the innovative measures of spatial planning, modernised sustainable transport fleet and ITS with efficient use of the ICT applications for informing the passengers.

It means new long-time investments and the shift of priorities for the municipal budget combined with targeted using of available EU funding to implement the best practices. I consider learning from the experience of cities with most advanced and sustainable public transport will speed

up the process and makes the results costefficient.

Considering the ageing society the measures of barrier-free public transport should be implemented (low-floor buses/ trams/trolleybuses) to guarantee the high quality service for all.

Railway PRO: What are the most efficient methods of achieving the modal shift to more sustainable transport modes in cities?

Tõnu Karu: The municipalities can introduce priority/exclusive/dedicated lanes for public transport in the cities, limit the access of private cars in the city central areas, increase parking tariffs and provide comfortable park-and-ride facilities.

The guaranteed quality of public transport (clean, sufficient frequency, strict time-tables, optimised line network,) attracts the new users and promotes the alternative to using private cars.

Pricing of the public transport is the most efficient tool to achieve the modal shift for medium and low income population.

Railway PRO: Tallinn is the first European capital to have introduced free public transport services, an action of courage that could lead public transport to a different level. What were the reasons for which the authorities decided on such a project?

Tõnu Karu: Like all municipalities, Tallinn has been subsidising the public transport in the city since long.

The analyses proved that introducing free public transport for the residents of Tallinn will be beneficial for the people and help us to reach the aim of sustainable movement of people. Tallinn is able to allocate the needed finances in the City budget.

In March 2012 the referendum on introducing the free public transport was held in Tallinn. As the result, 75% of the participants in the referendum supported the initiative and gave the administration the strong mandate to develop the initiative. Based on the support of the people Tallinn City Council adopted the decision in September 2012 to introduce free public transport for the residents of Tallinn from 01 January 2013.

Railway PRO: What is the objective of this policy in the transport sector, but also socially, economically and environmentally?

Tõnu Karu:The objective of free public transport is diverse.

As the social aspects, free public transport guarantees mobility for unemployed and low income residents of Tallinn, not able to travel because of financial limitations.

PT priority corridors today

Source: ‘Steps towards free public transport in Tallinn’, Taavi Aas Deputy mayor

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

42 Metropolitan Economic aspects - the people can find and take the jobs in areas far from their homes without caring for transport costs and so their participation in productive work increases the tax basis for the municipality.

Free public transport stimulates consumers’ activity, they can find the needed goods and services in different parts of the city without extra transport costs. Savings from transport are spent for local goods and services thus activating the economy.

Environmental aspects - the first three months of free public transport has proved the considerable improvement of the city environment. The number of cars in the city centre has decreased about 15%, we can forecast the amount of CO2 pollution decreasing about 45 000 tons in 2013 already. The main crossings are less congested and the noise level at the main streets decreased.

Railway PRO: Do these free public transport services refer to all categories of citizens and cover all public transport modes in Tallinn (bus, tram, trolleybus, train and ferry services)?

Tõnu Karu: The free public transport is available only for all registered residents of Tallinn. They get their personal contactless travel card for 2 € and validate every trip when travelling in municipal buses, trams and trolleybuses.

The people who are not residents of Tallinn can buy the travel card and load it with money in the service centres or via internet.

of Tallinn City Council about introducing free public transport is based on the referendum and now accepted by all political parties in the Council. It means that possible future power shifts in the Council are not able to change it easily.

The initial critics have vanished and the first months of free public transport prove that the decision was right.

Tallinn Public Transport company is the municipal enterprise financed fully by the municipality, therefore this innovation does not harm any other cities.

Railway PRO:Of course that this policy of free public transport services also includes the situation/problem of budget. Is it possible that the implementation of the project would reduce the budget of public transport development? If the budget allocated to this sector is smaller, how will investment funds be covered?

Tõnu Karu: Since the beginning of 2012 until April 2013 about 9000 new residents have been registered in Tallinn.

Every 1000 residents bring about 1 million euros of personal income tax to the City budget. Merging two public transport companies gives the city extra savings and we can follow the additional income from increasing economic activity to cover the costs of free public transport.

Tallinn economic situation is fairly healthy, we do not foresee any cuts for the public transport development budget.

Railway PRO: Talking about investments, can you tell us what the public transport development strategy (espeRailway PRO: The delivery of free pub- cially tram) in the capital of Estonia is and lic transport services has attracted many what are the investments envisaged in the critics to local authorities consisting main- development plan of the entire transport ly in economic criteria, such as the city system? budget, or as the local press reported, free Tõnu Karu: The aim of Tallinn pubtransport could embezzle funds from oth- lic transport development strategy is to er cities with higher needs. As representa- provide better and extensive service to tive of Tallinn to the European Union, can the residents and our guests. Our biggest you explain this situation to us? project in sustainability development is Tõnu Karu: As said before, the decision reconstruction of the longest tramline. We PT priority area in the future

Source: ‘Steps towards free public transport in Tallinn’, Taavi Aas Deputy mayor

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

have received funding for that and we have ordered 15 new low-floor trams by 2015 to guarantee the quality of the service.

The centre of Tallinn is standing at the narrow strip between the sea and the lake.

To make the commuting better we are finalising the big development works on East-West circle road with remarkable EU co-financing this year. The planned investments in the fleet of public transport are continuously growing and are supporting the target of Tallinn to be rewarded the European Green Capital nomination for 2018. Sustainable public transport is one highlight of our application.

Railway PRO: From the point of view of free public transport services, can Tallinn become an example for the other European capitals?

Tõnu Karu: Our aim has been first of all to provide the best possible service for our own residents but is nice that our initiative has wider context. Tallinn free public transport system development has been extensively covered by international media.

We have learned from the experience of some European cities like Hasselt (BE) and Aubagne (FR) and the Chinese city Chengdu. We are sure that our system will be sustainable and we are ready to share our experience with all interested parties in Europe and wider (overseas).

To share the best practice, Tallinn is one of the initiators of the European Free Public Transport Cities Network. This network could serve as the focal centre of information on this innovative urban practice for all European municipalities and regions.

Недавние оценки показывают, что Решение о предоставлении бесплатного общественного транспорта в Таллине оказалось правильным Эстония является одной из европейских стран, которые в последние годы пытается адаптироваться к новым тенденциям социальноэкономического роста, пытаясь удовлетворить потребности в развитии и модернизации новым революционным способом. Это также касается политики бесплатного предоставления услуг общественного транспорта в столице Таллине. По предварительным оценкам, данная мера привела к увеличению доли общественного транспорта, и впоследствии пассажиры предпочитают пользоваться общественным транспортом. - Интервью с Тону Кару, представитель Таллина при Европейском Союзе.

Market development 43

Istanbul public transport is ready for the Olympic Games 2020 [ by Elena Ilie ]

In 2012, Istanbul hosted 9.5 million foreign tourists and the authorities expect over 10 million foreign tourists to visit the city this year. The same authorities also say that they are ready to provide an efficient public transport for the Organisation of the Olympic Games in 2020. Istanbul, together with Tokyo and Madrid, is one of the candidate cities for the organisation of the Olympic Games.

A

lready the public transport city in Istanbul – a city with 16 million inhabitants – is very well organised and new projects are in plan. The Government in Ankara announced they planned to allocate EUR 14.87 Billion to this complex sports event and the majority of funds will be dedicated to the improvement of public transport system between the European and Asian parts of the Istanbul. The funds allocated are three times higher than those estimated by Tokyo and Madrid together.

The city on the banks of the Black Sea and Marmara Sea has a very efficient and easy to access rail transport system – tram and light rail. Also, the inauguration in October 2013 of Marmaray Tunnel is another plus of the public transport system in Istanbul.

Recently, on 29 May, Turkey announced the initiation of construction works to a new bridge across the Bosporus, the first one equipped with a railway line. 59-m wide, the bridge will be in fact the widest in the world and the third bridge to link the Asian part of Istanbul to the European part of the city. According to the Turkish Minister of Transport, Binali Yıldırım, the bridge could be functional starting with 2015. The bridge will be built in the north

of the other two existing bridges between the Garipçe district (the European part) and the Poyrazköy district (the Asian part).

The bridge will be 1.4km long and will be built on two levels. Thus, the superior level will have eight lanes for road traffic, four in each direction. The railways will be built on the inferior level of the bridge. The bridge will connect the new airport of Istanbul due in 2016. The new airport will be transited by 150 million passengers per year.

The transport network in Istanbul has developed constantly in the last ten years; two new light rail networks have been built as well as a new rapid bus line. According to the Master Plan on Integrated Urban Transport (IUAP) 2009 – 2013, EUR 3 Billion have already been invested in public transport infrastructure. According to the same development plan, the authorities have committed to allocate another EUR 6.8 Billion for the next ten years. The same group of financing includes Marmaray Tunnel as well. The transport plan for Istanbul 2020 will focus on the existing transport capacity (already significant), as well as on the underground, tram and Metrobus networks of the city so as to offer an efficient transport to participants. On average, the stations will

be less than one kilometre away of the respective accommodation, guaranteeing that 91% of the sportsmen’ journeys will take 30 minutes or less and will ensure an average journey time of only 16 minutes.

The Turkish Minister of Transport, Binali Yıldırım talked about how important would these public transport projects be for the future of Istanbul and stressed the fact that the projects would be continued whether Istanbul hosted or not the 2020 Olympic Games.

Source: www.skyscrapercity.com

Общественный транспорт в Стамбуле готов к проведению Олимпийских игр 2020 года

Source: wikipedia.org

В 2012 году в Стамбул приезжало 9,5 млн. иностранных туристов, а власти ожидают, что в этом году город будут посещать более 10 миллионов туристов. Те же власти говорят, что они готовы к организации Олимпийских игр 2020 года с точки зрения обеспечения эффективного общественного транспорта. Стамбул, наряду с Токио и Мадридом, является одним из городовкандидатов на звание организатора Олимпийских игр. Давайте посмотрим, как они подготовились к обеспечению общественного транспорта!

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

44 Market development

Increase of transport costs prevents economic development [ by Elena Ilie ]

The cost of infrastructure development in the European Union, necessary to meet the transport demand, was estimated at over EUR 1.5 Trillion for the period 2010-2030. However, in the years and decades to come, it will be more and more difficult to find means of investing in the transport infrastructure. The aging of population means that the highest value of resources will be absorbed by social insurance costs. Moreover, the economic crisis in 2008-2009 affected public budgets and private loans to a great extent. The economic recession period will be followed by long consolidation processes.

A S U S TA I N A B L E F U T U R E F O R T R A N S P O R T

T

hese developments will intensify the tight carbon constraint on the EU econPublic transport has to gain a higher share the declining trend in transport in- omy will not be kept, and citizens will be than today in the transport mix, become frastructure financing from govern- restricted in their individual mobility and easily accessible for everyone and fully intement budget, which, before the financial impoverished by more expensive access to grated with non-motorised modes (metro, crisis, was to some extent compensated by goods and services. light metro, tram). an increase in private sector financing. The Transforming transport and making it financing gap needs to be filled through more efficient, cleaner, safer and more re- Technology doesn’t slow down combined efforts by the governments, the liable will not be possible with just a small integrated mobility, administrative financial institutions and through number of interventions.

Trans-shown barriers do 5. As life expectancy rises The EU, ageing of the EU population cannew be illustrated byselected the population pyramids in Figure capital market models and new pricing port is a complex system that is based on andmechanisms, fertility rates remain low, thepricing. top of thethe pyramid becomes larger, while its base and middleaspect part shrink.

Recent such as congestion interaction of infrastructure, vehicles, A worrying in Europe is thedemoagePoor transport infrastructure an imand behavof population force transgraphic projections show that inis2060 thereinformation will be onlytechnology, two activerules workers for everyingpensioner.

Duewhich to thewill adverse impact pediment to the economy. Numerous iour. All these elements must be part of a port services to adapt to a growing eldstudies and confirm relationship between common visionafor change.ofAaverage transformaerlyeconomic population.growth People aged 65 will of ageing the the drop in the working-age population, decline annual ratesover is projected geographical accessibility and economic tion of transport is also a great opportunity represent 29% of the total population by — with current policies — falling % invehicle recent to 1.3 manufacturing % from 2030 to2050, 2060.compared Age-related public expenditure growth.

In particular, a recent study,from based2.5 for andyears equipment to 17% today, says the on an example from Germany, shows that industry and for logistic operators, since European Commission.

In the such as pensions, health care and long-term care will increase substantially by 2060. This underlines the need forEuropean the transconnection to the high speed rail network other regions of the world will face similar Union, around 1 person out of 6 has disportsignificantly sector to increase itseconomic contribution competitiveness. increases the growthto EU constraints on resources, while global de- abilities. The quality, reliability, safety rate of cities. Business as usual is not a vi- mand for mobility keeps growing. The best and accessibility, especially for disabled able option: increasing transport costs for technology will benefit from an expanding people, as well as public transport safety, businesses will hamper economic in growth, market its commercialisation. will2060) be essential for a better use of public Figure 5: Population pyramids the EU-27, byforage groups and sex (2008 and

The ageing challenge: growing needs, fewer resources

Population pyramids in the EU-27, by age groups and sex (2008 and 2060) EU-27: 2008 Population by age groups and sex Males

20

15

10

5

Age groups >99 95-99 90-94 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4 0 0

EU-27: 2060 Population by age groups and sex Females

5

10

15

20

Millions

Males

20

15

10

5

Age groups >99 95-99 90-94 85-89 80-84 75-79 70-74 65-69 60-64 55-59 50-54 45-49 40-44 35-39 30-34 25-29 20-24 15-19 10-14 5-9 0-4 0 0

Females

5

10

15

20

Millions

Source: Guidelines For Its Deployment In Urban Areas, Traffic Management, Urban ITS Expert Group

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Source: European Commission, Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs, ‘2009 ageing report’, European Economy, 2/2009. Specific pyramid source: Eurostat, Europop 2008.

Market development 45

 

 



 

 

 

   

 

 

  

transport.

For most of the citizens in the European Union, personal transport modes will however remain the only alternative due to the complexity of their daily journeys. Using vehicles that are more efficient in terms of consumption will be a necessity.

Town planning, access regulation including low emission zones, stricter controls on parking, pricing policies and alternative forms of accessibility could significantly

 

   

     

 

  

   



 

  

influence mobility choice.

Promoting better modal choices will require greater integration of the modal networks: airports, ports, railway, metro and bus stations, car hire spots and parking areas, should increasingly be merged and conceived as multimodal connection platforms for passengers.

The development of a properly-integrated transport system (such as creating a single railway area) is currently delayed by a

  

 

 

 

series of issues which still exist in the market and in the regulation. Regulation barriers in accessing a market, technical incompatibilities between transport modes and even the inappropriate or obsolete legislation are among the greatest challenges.

Both the Commission and the European Parliament hope that the adoption of the Fourth Railway Package would help harmonise railway passenger transport services in the EU and stimulate the sustainable and integrated mobility in the macro-region and in metropolitan areas.

The Commission has recently published a study on the available regulation alternatives for opening the domestic passenger transport markets. The study concludes that the real market opening will have a major positive impact on the railway sectors across the EU. Evidence supports the Commission’s opinion according to which the market opening will trigger innovation and improved quality and therefore, a higher number of passengers.

Увеличение транспортных расходов препятствует экономическому развитию

Source: wikimedia.org

  

  

 



Стоимость развития инфраструктуры в странах Европейского Союза для удовлетворения спроса на перевозки была оценена в размере 1,5 триллиона евро на период с 2010 года по 2030 год. Тем не менее, в ближайшие годы и десятилетия будет всё труднее найти способы инвестирования в транспортную инфраструктуру. Старение населения означает, что большая часть ресурсов будет поглощена расходами на социальное обеспечение. Кроме того, экономический кризис 2008-2009 годов серьезно сказался на государственных бюджетах и частных кредитах. После завершения периода экономического спада потребуется длительный процесс восстановления.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

46 Market development

Rail stations, as multifunctional urban hubs [ by Elena Ilie ]

The criteria for the station or stations located on a high-speed network in a given city must consider the optimal requirements of city and citizens, as well as those specific to the railway system. A functional design is absolutely essential, and parallel business activities are a common feature of high speed stations. Apart from services inside railway stations, the intermodal component, meaning the connection of the rail station to the city centre and airports, is very important, mainly if the link is created with the help of rail transport as well. The perception of rail stations as “disturbing” architectural structures inside cities is no longer valid.

Stuttgart HBF

the railway passenger transport services on long distances, an activity initiated in 2010 in most West-European countries.

Thus, railway station managers will have to prove their impartiality with respect to all market players. New operators will demand their own ticketing facilities to meet the demands of their customers and the railway stations will have to provide almost the same facilities as airports: restaurants, shopping centres, modern waiting rooms.

Railway stations in Western Europe, such as those in Germany, France, Great Britain, Switzerland, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands are already providing customers with high-standard services that integrate in the urban landscape as profit-generating shopping centres and which are no longer seen as mere railway stations in the city centre.

The rapid development of the different transit systems has led to the modernisation of railway stations along the crossed route. They have to be as aesthetically built or modernised as possible and to dispose of enough capacity to provide shelter for users. Passengers in transit need special places where they should wait for the next

(Stuttgart, Germany)

Railteam info point Info point Platform

1a

Gittertor

Platform

1-2

Platform

3-4

Platform

5-6

Platform

7-8

Platform

9-10

Platform

11-12

Platform

13-14

Platform

15-16

Business lounge Waiting area International ticket office Bus Underground Taxis Car rental

N

W

City, Arnulf-Klett-Platz

Source: www.nshispeed.nl

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

E

S

train. Railway stations, integrated to other open and attractive public spaces and ecofriendly pedestrian ways will attract users and will maintain passenger traffic.

Paris-Gare du Nord

Photo: wikimedia.org

R

ailway stations are a crucial aspect of every railway journey, so it is vital for the facilities they offer to be designed in a way that meets the needs of each passenger. The problems that railway station managers are faced with are related to the way in which these railway stations can become more attractive for passengers, provide more accessible and more eco-friendly services or efficient methods through which railway stations can generate profits. Railway stations have to be attractive and meet the expectations of passengers and retail customers. Most of the times, the railway station is the first image associated with the idea of railway transport. They have to transform, just like airports, into profit-generating hubs.

What can we say about the central position of a railway station? Many railway station locations are attractive as retail location, due to their high accessibility on regional scale, but whether they have the real effect on the distribution of retail location still needs to be investigated. One of the acute problems that railway managers are confronted with is the liberalisation of

Вокзалы могут являться многофункциональными узлами города Критерии для размещения вокзала или вокзалов для высокоскоростных линий в городах должны учитывать оптимальные требования города и граждан, а также специфические требования железнодорожной системы. Функциональный дизайн вокзала является абсолютно необходимым, в то время как возможность параллельного осуществления предпринимательской деятельности также является характерной особенностью станции высокоскоростных железных дорог. Помимо услуг, предоставляемых на территории вокзалов в развитых городах, также важны интермодальная составляющая и сообщение вокзала с центром города и аэропортами. Эффективнее, если соединение осуществляется с помощью железнодорожного транспорта. Вокзал больше не должен рассматриваться как препятствие, как архитектурное сооружение, «мешающее» образу города.

Policies & Strategies

47

Period for granting financing within the “Horizon 2020” is reduced by 100 days

[ by Pamela Luică ]

Several months are left until the adoption of the legislative documents on the Horizon 2020 strategy by the European Parliament and the Council (at the end of 2013), and the Commission will need 6 months for the preparation of the work scheme, guidelines for applicants and the implementation of structures for launching the first requests, in January 2014. But until this date, the programme for research and innovation must get through the negotiations of the multiannual budget 2014-2020. “Our purpose is to reach a consensus on Horizon 2020 to launch the first request for the implementation of projects within the programme”, declared the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

F

or the execution of projects, from the budget necessary for Horizon 2020 (in the period 2014-2020) amounting to EUR 88 Billion, EUR 7.7 Billion should be granted for research and innovation in the segment of smart, environmentally friendly and integrated transport.

Compared to the previous research programmes, Horizon 2020 has a simpler structure, which will determine the reduction of the period for granting the financing by 100 days and implicitly the applicants will manage to implement the projects much more quickly.

As Europe wishes to significantly reduce CO2 emissions (by 60% until 2050), and the transport sector generates over a quarter of emissions, it is clear that the entire transport system must be radically changed. This is the reason for which the transport sector is one of the six main challenges related to the society approached within Horizon 2020.

“I want the transport industry to be a leading player in Horizon 2020. [It is] the backbone of an integrated, mobile economy. Horizon 2020 will address transport

Horizon 2020 will address transport as an integrated system.

• Actions will focus on four areas: • Resource-efficient transport; • Better mobility, less congestion, more safety and security (this is where we expect a cross-over between transport modes); • Global leadership for the European transport industry; and, • Forward-looking activities to feed into future policy making. as an integrated system but it will not ignore the specifics of the different modes of transport, particularly where we need to achieve technological breakthroughs.

Actions will focus on four areas: resourceefficient transport; better mobility, less congestion, more safety and security; global leadership for the European transport industry; and forward-looking activities to feed into future policy making”, mentioned Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.

Granting investments in the field of sustainable transport offers European companies a huge commercial opportunity; products and services related to sustainable mobility will represent a global market of EUR 300 Billion in 2020.

Horizon 2020 represents the fair balance

The proposed support for research and innovation under Horizon 2020 will: • Strengthen the EU’s position in science with a dedicated budget of € 24 598 million. This will provide a boost to top-level research in Europe, including an increase in funding of 77% for the very successful European Research Council.

• Strengthen industrial leadership in innovation € 17 938 million. This includes major investment in key technologies, greater access to capital and support for SMEs. • Provide € 31 748 million to help address major concerns shared by all Europeans such as climate change, developing sustainable transport and mobility, making renewable energy more affordable, etc

between the support granted to research, the increase of industry competitiveness and the approach of challenges, being structured into three different pillars which consolidate each other: excellence in science, industrial leadership and societal challenges.

Срок предоставления финансирования в рамках стратегии «Горизонт 2020» сокращён на 100 дней Осталось несколько месяцев до принятия Европейским парламентом и Советом законодательных документов по стратегии Горизонт 2020, а Комиссии потребуется шесть месяцев для подготовки программ работы и руководящих линий для заявителей. Начиная с января 2014 года будут запущены первые заявки. По сравнению с предыдущими исследовательскими программами, Горизонт 2020 имеет более простую структуру, что позволит сократить срок предоставления грантовой поддержки на 100 дней, поэтому кандидаты смогут реализовать свои проекты быстрее.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

48 POLICIES & STRATEGIES

The main five barriers to the deployment of sustainable transport [ by Pamela Luică ]

In 2012, the Department of Scientific and Technological Options Assessment – STOA – of the European Parliament dealt with projects assessing the impact of introducing and promoting new technologies and identified the best action technological methods for a sustainable and efficient transport, the sustainable management of natural resources and so on.

O

ut of 13 on-going projects, 6 were finalized and published in 2012 and for each of them STOA published a final report and a summary including the identified options.

According to the report published in 2013 on urban transport, the STOA study was initiated in 2010 and carried out until February 2012 under the supervision of STOA Vice President Malcolm Harbour and TRAN Vice Chair Adriana Ţicău.

The final objective was to propose policy options for sustainable transport models, the final report stressing relevant aspects and methods for transition towards a sustainable transport system.

More than half of the EU population lives in urban areas, this being the reason why EU has proposed to ensure an appro-

priate air quality together with an efficient transport system. For this purpose, EU invests in many research and innovation projects capable to contribute to the foundation of future policies.

Just like the previous EU research programmes, the programme for 2014-2020, “Horizon 2020” will prioritize the intelligent, non-polluting and EU-integrated transport.

“Within STOA, I have supervised two research transport projects <<Urban Transport>> and <<Eco-efficient Transport>>. The latter has analysed several scenarios: the eco-efficiency of all transport modes, the redistribution of the share of each transport mode in the European transport and reducing the growth rates of transport volume. Also,

the project identifies several key areas for ensuring an eco-efficiency transport: the energy system, non-polluting automotive vehicles, non-polluting trucks, intelligent logistics systems, integrating systems for booking and releasing tickets, increasing the share of railway and water transport, urban planning, ensuring the accessibility of mobility and changing the behaviour of transport services consumers.

One of the conclusions of the study shows that non-technological factors have many times prevented the development of eco-efficient transport. Therefore, the study shows that, although the increase of railway transport share is very necessary, it has not been achieved because it lacked of access to the needed technology”, explained Adriana Ţicău, member of STOA,

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Policies & Strategies Modal Split Passengers Modal Split Passengers

pecially non-poplar measures such as restricting individual motorised transport, 100% which is often rejected) and side effects 90% Slow which can have serious repercussions on 80% other activities and which can complicate Air 70% the implementation of projects (traffic 60% Train calming could also cause inconveniences 50% to public transport).

40% Bus Among the initiated policies, the EU en30% Car courages the development of public trans20% port which ensures not only the accessi10% bility of services, but also the significant 0% reduction of pollution generated by transport, the ambitious long-term objectives being shifting 50% of medium-distance Source: Jens Schippl (KIT- ITAS) ETAG freight and passenger traffic to railway nominated from the Committee on Trans- and water transport which can reduce port and Tourism (TRAN). emissions by 60% until 2050. “Regarding The main five barriers to the deployment urban transport, I would like to mention of sustainable transport are identified and that a directive on promoting less pollutformulated in the study including resource ing vehicles in urban public transport has barriers (including financial and physical been adopted since 2010. barriers, namely budget restrictions or Member States can also use state aids to geographic structures), institutional or develop eco-efficient urban transport. For political barriers (problems related to ac- example, cities such as Prague have modtions coordinated or not between different ernised their fleet of vehicles and other governmental organisations or political European cities have upgraded their fleet problems), but also legal barriers (regard- of trams using state subsidies to cover up ing the alignment of laws and regulations to 66% of the cost of such modernisato provide the right conditions for creat- tions”, added Ţicău. ing a sustainable urban transport). Next Also, using the Action Plan on urban moto these three hindrances, the STOA study bility, EC supports local authorities in the identifies other two problems referring to development of sustainable urban mobilthe social and cultural segments (the ac- ity programmes and “in order to increase ceptance of measures by the citizens, es- the information on the available financing

(computed on pͲkm)

modal share Ͳ passengers % (2050)

European Technology Assessment Group

14 | Jens Schippl | ITAS, KIT | 07.05. 2013

ITAS x DBT x FCRI x ISIx IST xITA xTC x Rathenau

49

from structural and cohesion funds and from the European Investment Bank, the Commission plans to supply information on the connection between sustainable urban mobility measures and regional policy objectives, in conformity with the current national and community framework conditions. Several of the measures of the European action plan facilitate the development and the increase of the share of rail in urban transport. The action plan on urban mobility will be revised in the coming period”, declared Ţicău.

STOA: пять препятствий, стоящих на пути развития устойчивого транспорта Департамент оценки научных и технологических возможностей (STOA) Европейского парламента в 2012 году занимался проектами, оценивающими влияние введения или продвижения новых технологий и выявляющими оптимальные варианты действия с точки зрения технологий, устойчивого и эффективного транспорта, устойчивого управления естественными ресурсами, наряду с другими направлениями. Согласно отчету, опубликованному в 2013 году, было выявлено пять препятствий, стоящих на пути развития устойчивого транспорта.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, Director General – UIC Speech from the previous edition of Railway Days

The International Union of Railways participates to the development of railway transport and of freight-dedicated international corridors. Railway transport connects countries, but also continents and cohesion is given by the number of railway projects, such as infrastructure modernization, building new lines, modernization of railway equipments, new rolling stock or research in the field. Recent studies of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) have shown that the necessary investments in transport by 2030 amount to USD 11.3 Billion, 44% of which would be directed to railway transport (USD 5 Trillion).

European freight corridors, the new transport network in Brazil, the Russian projects, and the network in Central Asia or in the Basin of Mekong River, all these projects will revive railway transport. All indicators show that, despite the economic recession, by 2015, cargo transport could increase by 18%, while passenger transport by 80%.

By 2020-2040, over two billion people will move to the city, so it will be necessary to find mobility solutions for urban and suburban routes and rail transport plays an important role here. Railways are every day more involved in urban development and from the point of view of investments it is very important that the accent will fall on intercity, suburban and high-speed trains.

All intra-European corridors, those linking Europe to Asia and Middle East, need improvement, because they boost interoperability. I’m glad that we can now talk about the Black Sea transport links. UIC has discussed the matter with the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). Turkey will soon inaugurate the section Baku – Tbilisi – Kars, which is a plus for the link between the two continents and which will definitely increase the share of railway transport. At present, the key word is interoperability, also between continents, not only between European countries. Also, another key factor for cohesion is solving technical and administrative problems. Cohesion has to be at the core of the railway development policy. Security and safety are also important. UIC is thus interested in studies of the development projects elaborated by other profile associations, such as OSJD. However, the railway transport sector is currently fragmented and market players are facing problems in observing administrative separation principles. Therefore, railway transport needs an improved harmonisation of technical and administrative rules both in Europe and Asia which will facilitate and ease cross-border operations.

There are several efficient solutions for this, among which satellite tracking systems, development of new international hubs, the mapping of the network, new data bases or the development of each data base of the authorities, a better standardisation of specific regulations in Europe, Asia and the 1520 Area, development of new transport corridors and new integration and charging systems.

Most new transport corridors between Europe and Middle East from East to West and North to South, also the new corridors linking Europe and Africa, as well as the key role of the Mediterranean hubs, all these, next to the major corridors which cross Europe (IV,V,IX and X) are key elements for development and territorial cohesion.

Organisers:

Media Partners:

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INNOVATIVE RAILWAYS. COMPETITIVE BUSINESS

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the railway business magazine

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June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

Railway PRO

50 Market development

Individual electric transport cannot be a threat for rail urban transport [ by Pamela Luică ]

Although EU encourages the development of rail urban transport as the answer to challenges related to the noise level, air quality, accidents, congestion, etc., by research and innovation projects, the development of electric transport as individual transport mode is encouraged as well. “We must continue the innovation programmes which contribute to reaching the objective of emission reduction, removing gradually the conventional vehicles and increasing the usage of electric vehicles and public transport”, declared the European Commissioner for Transport, Siim Kallas at the launch of the Smart Cities and Communities European Innovation Partnership, programme which aims at implementing the projects in the field of energy, transport and information technology whose financing will be much higher (compared to previous years) starting with this year.

B

ut “the electric transport service provision will indeed need to be situated in an area that is complementary to the private car market (in which electric vehicles can also play a specific role). Several urban rail service providers see the opportunity of capitalizing on their knowledge about power management and procurement to establish EV based services, as feeder and last mile solutions for urban rail services”, Ivo Cré, Project Manager – POLIS. Nevertheless, the introduction of electromobility is a complex process which involves great challenges for the authorities, as regards the organisation of the necessary infrastructure and consumers. The development of this transport mode implies the radical change of the entire transport system, especially in urban areas, but also legislative and political regulations.

One thing is clear: the fact that all EU

policies are heading to power consumption. Will the electric system be capable to cover the necessary quantity and the power costs until the development of new smart transport systems or is the development of rail urban transport the most viable result? “I do not consider electric vehicles are a threat for rail urban transport, especially since the concept of smart cities has developed in Europe and has encouraged public transport. Likewise, in the field of medium and long distance transport, EU’s objective is the encouragement of railway transport.

In addition, electric vehicles require the development of a power supply infrastructure (such as the use of renewable energy sources at local level), investments for making electric batteries efficient (at present their performance is below 18%), investments in research and innovation related to electric or hybrid vehicles etc. Another important element is the price of electric or hybrid ve-

Energy consumption (million terajoules) 20

hicles which is still very high”, stated TRAN Vice Chair, Adriana Ţicău.

The STOA report on the eco-efficient transport mentions the fact that a transition is needed for a more sustainable transport system which must face recent challenges and the anticipated ones on the evolutions of the transport sector. According to the conclusions based on the works elaborated so far, the scenarios for the EU eco-efficient transport have already been designed. “The scenarios indicate key factors which provide information related to different transport modes including calculations on the innovations of the environmentally friendly transport which comprise technologies for energy efficiency optimisation, alternative fuels, propulsion technologies (especially electric vehicles and biofuels)”, indicated the report.

Индивидуальный электрический транспорт не может представлять собой угрозой для транспорта на рельсах

15

10

70 % reduction of 2009 oil consumption 5

0 1990

1995

2000

2005

2007

2008

2009

2010

Other

Aviation kerosene

Natural gas

Road gasoline

Ship residual fuel oil

Rail gas/diesel oil

Biodiesel

Oil derived fuels

Ship diesel/gas oil

Rail electricity

Biogasoline

Ship gasoline

LPG

Road diesel

Source: www.eea.europa.eu

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

2011

Несмотря на то, что ЕС поощряет развитие городского транспорта на рельсах в ответ на вызовы, возникшие в связи с уровнем шума, качества воздуха, транспортных происшествий, пробок и т.д., инновационные и исследовательские проекты направлены также на поощрение и развитие электрического транспорта как индивидуальный вид транспорта. Вызовы данного вида транспорта все еще слишком велики для того, чтобы справляться с существующей потребностью в плане мобильности, тем более в контексте, когда необходимо строительство соответствующей инфраструктуры. Важным элементом также является стоимость электрических автомобилей, которая все еще слишком высока для потребителей.

Products & Technologies 51

Intelligent technologies play major role in new connections and intermodality

[ by Pamela Luică ]

Connectivity and intermodality are key factors for boosting the attractiveness and development of public transport and new technologies and solutions definitely have a say. The continuous development of technology launches many challenges for both passengers, who change their mobility behaviour and needs, and for the operators who are confronted with the amendment of systems regarding the provisions of services which impact on public transport development.

F

or example, the advantages of wireless technologies have convinced 73.4% of the world population to use such technologies, the number of wireless users soaring to 5 billion in 2010. This made the market of smart phones increase by 79.7% in the first half of 2011. In the transport system, these technologies and solutions mean increasing the role of the information delivered to the permanently connected passengers, the use of mobility services in a complex and seamless transport system as regards the interaction of information to transport networks.

Therefore, public service suppliers have to develop an offer which relies on the concept of “connected passenger”, offer that would include a combination of innovative services and the optimisation of the existing services leading together to complex information delivery.

The wide-spreading of smart applications, including payment methods and information access, will facilitate the use of public transport vehicles, will increase public transport share, will change people’s behaviour and will innovate the entire transport system.

To find out more about the necessity of modern technologies in delivering public transport services and about the importance of implementing new concepts, Ivo Cré, Project Manager – POLIS, has agreed to detail these facts in an interview.

Railway PRO: Many companies develop technologies and solutions to make connections efficient and to develop the intermodality of public transport, but their launch also means to change the lifestyle of citizens.

How can the citizens be persuaded to change their lifestyle by embracing technology and what are the methods for attracting an increasing number of passengers towards urban public transport rather than cars?

Ivo Cré: The EU FP7 research project NODES established a vision for intermodality for passenger transport. In this survey, all stakeholders in intermodality, being researchers, passengers, local authorities and operators, refer to the passenger as ‘the connected traveller’. This connected traveller concept is the result of two processes: the individual is getting more acquainted with hi-tech in his daily life (e.g. digital natives) and the transport environment is embracing information technology concepts that are established in other sectors.

Specific technological applications such as geo-referencing become common in dayto-day activities. In my opinion the technology will reinforce rather than change societal trends in transport. An example is for instance the inclusion of shared modes (public bicycles, shared vehicles) within the intermodal chain. This is a trend that has started well before smartphones were around. New technologies make the systems more flexible, and more intuitive and enable the realisation of the driving societal trend, namely the transition from an ownership-based economy towards a service/ experience based economy.

With this view that technology will rather reinforce, facilitate societal trends rather than changing lifestyles, it should also be said that the potential of inducing modal shift by means of these systems should not be overestimated. Individuals will look for these technologies and applications that solve particular problems. Public transport information systems as such might not be advanced enough to create the basis for modal shift. Instruments that create portfolios of mobility solutions, including PT, shared modes, parking etc. might work better.

Railway PRO: New technologies use the applications of smartphones. How many passengers are using this device for public transport applications? To what extend do they answer to mobility needs to encourage the increasing market share of public

transport?

Ivo Cré: Studies say that by 2015, about 100 million Europeans will use smart phones. By then they will also double the use of mobile websites and applications.

Overall in apps development, transport oriented applications (ranging from GPS routing to PT information) are popular. As stated above, the connected and informed traveller will use the smart phone (or other means to get connected) to find solutions to his travel problem. The most convincing solution in terms of availability, price, reliability etc. will win. Urban public transport can have all the advantages the connected traveller is looking for.

Railway PRO: How does smart ticketing answer to sustainable mobility needs in urban regions?

Ivo Cré: Smart ticketing has several advantages: It can facilitate the distribution of revenue between different operators; it creates (as good as) free flow conditions in interchanges and in vehicles; it provides interesting data about travel patterns and interchange between modes and vehicles, enabling the network planners to improve the service, by through-linking lines etc; for the traveller the use of the system becomes easier. He does not have to worry about ticketing and fares; the system also allows to package additional transport services into one smart card, thus expanding travel options for the passenger.

Умные технологии играют жизненно важную роль для новых методы сообщения и интермодальности Методы сообщения и интермодальность - это ключевые факторы повышения привлекательности и развития общественного транспорта, а здесь новые технологии и решения имеют важное значение. Для того, чтобы получить больше сведений о необходимости современных технологий для предоставления транспортных услуг и о важности внедрения новых концепций, Руководитель проекта ПОЛИС, Иво Кре.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

52 Market development

Integrated ticketing for smart cities [ by Elena Ilie ]

The improvement of the passenger public transport and of the quality of this service is a key factor for obtaining sustainable urban development from the social, economic and environmental points of view.

A public transport which the citizens would appreciate and use without thinking about the individual alternative can be obtained by different means depending on the local context, financial resources and national and local policies.

W

hile some time ago we have referred to a public transport system as being efficient as long as we benefited from the tramway, the underground, potentially the bus and their correlation – at present we wish an efficient public transport which could offer us integrated ticketing solutions. Of course we want it to reduce the time we spend in traffic as much as possible.

The basis for fares should be transparent and easy to understand. Tickets and payment facilities should be widely available, for example sales points distributed throughout the city, ticket vending machines at various places (park and ride stations, main bus stops orOperators on-board), on the internet (subscription for smart card holders) and via mobile phones.

Integrated ticketing and tariff policies between different public transport operators (local public transport and the national railway) should be offered to make tickets valid for all public transport modes and for a whole region. Easy and attractive payment methods should be offered.

Source: Mark Streetingsmart card sysFor example, innovative

tems can be implemented, which can be used for contactless payment of integrated fares. They may also serve as an important element of public transport marketing.

Smart payments can also provide valuable data on the behaviour and mobility patterns of users.

Many potential benefits from public transport ticketing measures were explored during CIVITAS II, a project which benefits from the support of the European Union.

The ease and convenience of the purchase permitted by innovative ticketing systems in a city should attract more public transport passengers, resulting in fewer Customers private cars entering the Government urban area.

The accessibility of public transport in general is enhanced with the introduction of a ticket valid for all types of services and vehicles.

Costs vary greatly depending on the type of the implemented system, on the number of ticket vending/validation machines, as well as on the number of vehicles which must be equipped with the new technologies. Nevertheless, we must consider costs

Introduction of Smart Ticketing Systems strategic developments in Europe

Banks

Loyalty

Access

Service providing

City-services

Library

Interoperability

PT

Multimodality

Region

Source: VDV-KA-KG

Source: European Commission

Swimming pool

PT

Cities

Travel facilities

PT

Long distance

Parking Parking Rent a Bike Car-sharing

Strategic developements  City-services  Interoperability  Multimodality  Service providing

categories such as the costs for the specification and the development of a new ticketing system (consultant, involvement of transport operators), software for integrated ticketing systems (for connecting the systems of different operators, instrument based on the internet for subscriptions, software for the user with an interface that is easy to understand), equipments for vehicles, stops and stations (antennae, ticket vending machines, ticket validation machines) and maintenance costs of equipments.

Интегрированный тикетинг для умных городов Улучшение общественного пассажирского транспорта и повышение качества обслуживания в данной сфере является ключевым фактором для достижения устойчивого развития города с социальной, экономической и экологической точки зрения. Общественный транспорт, которым граждане могли дорожить и пользоваться, не думая об альтернативах индивидуального транспорта, может быть достигнут различными способами в зависимости от местных условий, финансовых ресурсов, а также от национальных и местных политик.

Source: VDV-Core Application

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Multimodal and/or multifunctional Smart Ticketing can be very attractive for the

Mobility

53

Integration and coordination of public transport policies [ by Elena Ilie ]

S

uch a mobility plan has to rely on a long-term vision for the development of transport and mobility of the entire urban agglomeration. A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan focuses on creating a sustainable urban transport system by facilitating the access of people to jobs and services, improving safety and security, reducing pollution, greenhouse gas emissions and the excessive energy consumption, increasing cost-efficiency for the transport of people and freight and increasing the attractiveness and quality of the urban environment.

A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is a method of approaching transport-related problems in urban areas. Starting from the practices and regulations existing in Member States, its basic characteristics have to follow and apply a participative approach, a pledge for sustainability, an integrated approach, a clear vision, appropriate objectives and targets, as well as a review of transport costs and benefits.

“Through an appropriate citizen and stakeholder involvement, decisions for or against specific urban mobility measures as well as the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan itself can obtain a significant level of “public legitimacy”, show the guidelines on the implementation of such a mobility plan.

In many situations, the development of a plan is dictated by a department for urban mobility or transport. However, the relevance of the policies for elaborating the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan is not limited to mobility and transport, its scope also including implication in the planning process of local and regional departments (dedicated to land planning, environment, economic development and social inclusion). It is a true challenge to solve the integration and cooperation deficits, but at the same time it is the main source for innovation and improvement. The European Commission seeks to accelerate the large scale implication in the Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans of the local and regional au-

Photo: wikimedia.org

The policies and measures defined in a Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) should address comprehensively all modes and forms of transport in the entire urban agglomeration, including public and private, passenger and freight, motorised and non-motorised, moving and parking.

thorities in Europe by wide range information on the scope, content and advantages of these plans.

The European cities have implemented a series of sustainable mobility plans, either referring to urban rail transport, bus transport or the development of new bicycle lanes and pedestrian areas. All plans aimed to reduce car dependency and to eliminate cars from the city centre are important for the citizens of a city and for its image.

Among the cities which implemented such sustainable mobility plans there is Koprivnica (Croatia), Budapest, Odense (Denmark), Paris, Lille, Timişoara, Cluj – Napoca, Oradea, Cambridge, London, Gent, Porto, Brno, Toulouse, Zagreb, Eindhoven, Aachen, Erfurt, Zaragoza, Turku, Helsinki, Örebro (Sweden), Nottingham, Sheffield, Parma, to name just a few.

Интеграция и координация политик общественного транспорта

Photo: Cycling Embassy of Denmark

Политики и мероприятия, включенные в План устойчивой городской мобильности (SUMP), должны касаться всех видов и форм транспорта всего городского населения, в том числе общественного и частного транспорта, пассажирских и грузовых перевозок, с двигателем или без двигателя.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

54 Metropolitan

Tirana plans to develop two tram lines

[ by Elena Ilie ]

Tirana, the capital of Albania, announced plans to build two tram lines to increase the efficiency of urban traffic in its metropolitan area inhabited by over 800,000 people.

In 2012, Tirana municipality published a report according to which a project on the construction of two tram lines was under evaluation. The tram lines would have a total length of 16.7 km. This is the estimated solution of urban traffic problems and the answer to the people’s mobility demands. The public transport in Tirana is, for now, focused only in the city centre, so that the people living in the suburbs have fewer or no public transport connections.

The municipality believes that pedestrian areas in the city centre will also be created with the construction of the tram lines.

U

nder the plan proposed by the municipality, the two tram lines will intersect in the İskender Bey square. The current public transport system in Tirana is made of ten bud lines served by 250 to 260 buses every day. The development of the tram network will provide an easier access to the city centre and beyond to necessary facilities, such as leisure areas or jobs without using personal vehicles.

Apart from the social benefits of a tram transport system – significant if we consider the sustainability of an eco-friendly urban transport – the municipality in Tirana believes that the investment will be profitable. Therefore, when developing profitability studies, the project should be considered as an investment through which the investor should obtain profit at the end of the previously established period of time which is generally 25 years, after deducting the expenses and the effects of inflation, shows the project proposed by the municipality in Tirana.

Based on the conditions imposed by the economic recession, but also by the difficulty of identifying considerable financial resources, two possible scenarios have been considered for the tram transport system. Therefore, the construction of the entire project is planned (tram infrastructure and civil engineering) by purchasing new vehicles and, the second scenario, the construction of the entire project (tram infrastructure and civil engineering), but this time using second-hand rolling stock.

According to the first scenario, the total cost of the project was estimated at EUR 130 Million, where 35% of the funds would be necessary for the acquisition of new trams, 32% of funds would go to civil engineering, 15% to depots and maintenance facilities, 12% to power supply systems and construction of catenaries and 6% to signalling systems.

The second scenario estimates the necessary funds at EUR 99 Million, if trams previously owned by other public trans-

port operator could be bought. The project authors say the method presented in the second scenario is ON used by many European 3.

LOCATION OF TRAMLINES STRATEGIC PLAN 2017 OF TIRANA cities with minimum investments.

The tram lines proposed here solve the transportaion demand of the single centered city of In December 2012, the Western BalTirana and to create pedestrian zones in city center together with the implementation of the kans Investment Framework (WBIF) antramway system. nounced it would carry out a feasibility study and the preliminary design of the tram lines. The money for the study, worth EUR 750,000, was allocated by the EuroFigure 4 Traffic situation of city centre Bank for Reconstruction and Bey DevelThe pean tram network are planned as two lines intersecting each other at İskender Square. opment.

TRACK 1- Qytet studenti – Bus Terminal 7200m According to the TRACK 2- Kombinat – Kinostudio 9500mlatest data, the Government in Prague in4. 2012 that Current public transport system of the announced Tirana is shown in Figure Existing transportation it contains would consider allbusesthe alternatives for system 10 bus lines.

About 250 to 260 are daily in use to operate this network.

All lines are operated atfinancing least between 6h and 22h with varying from 3min (line granting for thefrequencies construction of 6) to 10 min (busses 4, 5 and 10). There are currently about 400 licensed taxis in Tirana (and the rail transport system in Tirana. about 340 taxi places laid out). There is currently no specific terminal for interurban bus services. Current public transport network

Proposed tram routes

Figure 5 Current public transport network 4

Тирана планирует построить две трамвайные линии Столица Албании Тирана объявила о том, что она планирует построить две трамвайные линии для повышения эффективности городского транспорта в метрополитенной части, население которой превышает 800 тысяч жителей. Муниципалитет Тираны в 2012 году опубликовал отчет, согласно которому разрабатывается проект строительства двух трамвайных линий общей продолжительностью 16,7 километров.

Source: Tirana Municipality

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Figure 6 Proposed tram routes

With this tram network; most of the public will be able to reach to the city center, hospital,

Metropolitan 55

Tehran Metro seeks financing sources [ by Elena Ilie ]

The metro network in Tehran, the capital city of Iran, is a vast network with four fully operational lines.

The extension projects of the suburban transport network don’t stop at just four lines and there are plans for the construction of another two metro lines. But in order to achieve this, the authorities in Tehran are seeking financing sources. The costs of the new projects would amount to USD 2 Billion, money that the authorities hope to get from China.

and Logistics at Tehran Urban & Suburban Railway Company, writes panarmenian.net, quoting Reuters.

Thus, the first part of the project for the extension of the metro network in the Iranian capital, with a length of 89 kilometres and 41 stations, is fully operational, while the second part of the project, including the extension by another 70 kilometres and 66 stations, is scheduled to be commissioned in 2013. The third part is the one confronted with financing problems. It includes the construction of 102 kilometres and 68 stations. If potential and reliable financing sources are identified, the third part of the project will be inaugurated in 2015. At the moment, the financing of current projects is ensured from private sources, 50%, and 50% from the state budget. Only in 2010, the Government in Tehran allocated funds necessary to the development of the underground network. Lines 1, 2, 4 and 5 are fully operational, while works on lines 3 and 7 are on-going. In September 2012,

80 new metro cars were introduced on the existing lines. The cars were manufactured by the local railway industry and their commissioning was aimed at improving public transport and the access of citizens to this type of services. Tehran Metro carries 2.5 million passengers every day and is one of the most complex metro networks in Middle East. Rail public transport projects are important in Iran and Mashad, Isfahan and Shiraz are another three important cities in Iran where metro networks are built.

Photo: www.tehran-metro.com

T

he financial sanctions imposed to Iran had consequences, as probably expected. One of the economic branches affected by these sanctions is public transport; in fact, there are no available funds from the state budget to continue the projects for the extension of metro lines, projects initiated in 2007 and only partially finalized. The responsible authorities negotiate with China – government, banks, or financing institutions – to obtain a loan to continue projects and to provide efficient public transport services to the eight million people who live in Tehran.

“The authorities in Tehran initially wanted to build 430 kilometres of metro line with 256 stations; costs for these projects were estimated at USD 18 Billion. As a consequence of the applied sanctions, only 261 kilometres have received the green light for construction with 175 stations. Costs for these revised projects amounted to USD 10 Billion”, declared Mohammad Montazeri, Deputy General Director for Planning

Метро в Тегеране находится в поисках источников финансирования

Source: www.tehran-metro.com

Сеть метро столицы Ирана Тегеран - это огромная структура с четырьмя магистралями, которые в настоящее время работают на полную мощность. Проекты расширения сети пригородного транспорта не останавливаются лишь на этих существующих четырех линиях, а они касаются строительства еще двух линий метро. Однако, для этого власти Тегерана находятся в поисках источников финансирования. Затраты на новые проекты финансирования составят два миллиарда долларов США. Власти страны надеются получить данные средства из Китая.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

56 Market development

Iran – Armenia railway to facilitate new trade opportunities in the region [ by Elena Ilie ]

It is estimated that the new railway, Southern Armenia Railway – linking Iran and Armenia – will have 316 kilometres of simple electrified track. The railway will provide a connection between the town of Gavar, near Sevan Lake and the town of Meghri, in the south, located at the border with Iran. The implementation of the new project indicates Armenia’s decision of leaving the isolation which has actually been imposed to the country, but also Iran’s ambition to develop a series of railway projects on its territory and to have access to adjacent markets.

T

he Armenian and Iranian governments officially approved the railway project in 2009, but they were confronted with the problem of finding concrete financing sources for the railway that would cross most of the Armenian territory. According to an informal estimation, the project would need between USD 1 and 4 Billion.

Vladimir Yakunin insisted on the feasibility of the project although the return of the massive investments, necessary to the development of the railway, could take between 30 and 50 years. “If the project is launched, South Caucasus Railway will definitely participate in its implementation”, added Yakunin, referring to RZD’s subsidiary in Armenia.

After searching for reliable financing sources, such as potential investors and companies from Russia and China, the agreement has been signed with an Arab company, based in Dubai (UAE).

According to gulfnews.com, Rasia FZE, a company based in Dubai, has signed with

Armenia and Iran a third party agreement on building the Southern Armenia Railway.

The Memorandum of Understanding signed by the three parties includes another project, the development of a road high-speed connection, the cost of the two projects, railway and road, amounting to USD 3 Billion. The project will be developed based on a publicprivate partnership and the new line will be operated by South Caucasus Railway.

The line will be integrated in the core railway system of Armenia, as well as the link to the operation system in Iran which mostly has a standard 1435 mm gauge. Southern Armenia Railway will be a significant part of the North-South Corridor which will link the Persian Gulf to the Black Sea. Russia continues to remain interested in the ambitious project which concerns the construction of a connection railway between Armenia and Iran despite some “issues” generated by the differences between the government in Tehran and the Western region, declared the head of the Russian Railways Vladimir Yakunin.

“We think that this project has realistic chances of implementation but that could be done only within the inter-state framework and doesn’t depend only on us,” Vladimir Yakunin said last year at end of a visit in Armenia. “One of the most important objectives of South Caucasus Railway is the integration in the transport system on the Europe-Asia axis, and this will be achieved through the company’s development at national level, the implementation of infrastructure projects both at national and international level, as well as the efficiency and the increase of the quality of transport services”, declared Victor Rebets, CEO South Caucasus Railways, at the Railway Investment Summit in the Wider Black Sea Area 2012 - Railway Days, organised by Club Feroviar and AIF in October 2012.

At the beginning of the year, Armenian experts said that Iran-Armenia freight transit would be profitable if the volume of freight between the two countries exceeds 3.5 million tonnes per year. Currently, the freight volume carried through the southern border of Armenia with Iran doesn’t exceed 640,000 tonnes.

Железнодорожное сообщение Иран Армения будет создавать новые возможности для торговли в регионе

Source: www.iranrail.net

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Предполагается, что общая продолжительность новой железной дороги - Южноармянской железной дороги, которая будет соединять Иран и Армению - составит 316 километров простой электрифицированной железной дороги. Она осуществит соединение города Гавар, расположенного недалеко от озера Севан, с городом Мегри, расположенным на юге, на границе с Ираном. Внедрение нового проекта отражает решительность Армении выйти из изоляции, практически ей навязанной, но и стремления Ирана разработать ряд железнодорожных проектов на своей территории и получить доступ к соседним рынкам.

Market development 57

FPC becomes member of the European system on rail passenger transport information services [ by Pamela Luică ]

Federal Passenger Company (FPC), a RZD subsidiary, has received the right to use and supply data on traffic timetable, prices and services provided for rail passenger traffic within the European programme MERITS.

T

he multiple system for European railway traffic, MERITS (Multiple European Railways Integrated Timetable Storage) contains information on the timetable data of 32 railway companies (35,000 trains). In 2007, the railway companies signed the memorandum of understanding MERITS/PRIFIS (PRIce and Fare Information Storage) to set the terms and conditions for cooperation between parties and in 2011-2012 the EC recommended railway undertakings to supply data to third parties and the companies committed to provide all data by the end of 2012. Moreover, CER elaborated a business model to deliver information on the method of governing and delivering data to third parties. In September 2012, UIC decided to divide MERITS and PRIFIS in two so that, as of January 2013 the new memorandum MERITS could become effective by delivering data to 2013. Starting with the second half of 2013, data delivery will be weekly (compared to monthly deliveries until now). In this context, in the new MERITS formula, participants have

to supply all timetable data available in the company every week (or every month if not available). Information will contain data on delivery frequency and delivery in advance by two months of all possible traffic data. In exchange, they can access the entire MERITS database which is updated every week and which can be used unlimited in every system. Members can access the entire database or part of the MERITS data calculated to third parties (based on a contract stipulating minimum conditions of use).

MERITS provides a multilateral data exchange (on timetables and prices), the companies providing information from the general data centre. Costs are significantly reduced by dividing development and operation costs and this system helps promote railway transport by easing the accessibility to the databases of all companies. Distribution systems are easy to incorporate and customers receive correct and up-to-date information.

In order to promote the services and to benefit from the information provided by railway companies, the Russian rail passen-

What’s in the box? 

NSB

VR

SJ

Компания ФПК (Россия) стала членом европейской системы информации, связанной с услугами пассажирских перевозок

EVR



ATOC

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SNCF

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LG NS NS DBAG SNCB CFL SBB FS

CP

LDZ

DSB

CIE

BC

PKP UZ

CD

ZSR

ÖBB SZ

MAV

CFM

CFR

HZ ZBH

JZ

RENFE

BDZ

CFARYM

HSH

   E-business conference / Paris / 2012 October 19th

ger transport operator, Federal Passenger Company (FPC) and RZD signed a memorandum of understanding in April 2013 entitling the former to use information about traffic and the cost of rail passenger transport within MERITS. The company will also be able to include its own routes, prices and timetables in the European Union in the system.

“By signing this document, we have solved the problem of selling tickets valid from stations along the whole route, as well as on parts of the route, within European countries, on Federal Passenger Company trains, especially the Moscow - Berlin - Paris and Moscow - Nice services,” said Mikhail Akulov, Vice President of Russian Railways and CEO of the Federal Passenger Company.

“It has become easier for people from Russia to buy tickets on European trains while they are in Russia. The UIC will do everything possible in order to ensure cooperation between the Russian and European systems,” said Mark Gugon, Senior Advisor for Passenger Transport to the International Union of Railways (UIC).

FPC will be able to use all applications starting with June 2013.

CH

Федеральная пассажирская компания (ФПК), дочерняя компания РЖД, получила право на использование и предоставление данных о расписании движения поездов, ценах и услугах поставок железнодорожных пассажирских перевозок в рамках программы MERITS. ФПК сможет пользоваться возможностями в полном формате начиная с июня 2013 года.

June 2013 | www.railwaypro.com

automated metros, in all 4 continents (fig. 1). The highest prevalence is in Asia and Europe (see fig. 2) but Page | 5 America, and more recently South America and the Middle East are developing automated statistics 58North metro systems.

Automation landscape- Key facts, figures and trends

Automation landscape- Key facts, figures and trends Figure 1: Cities with automated metro lines, as of 2011.

25 cities have opted for

Cities with automated metro lines, as of 2011

Unattended train automation is a widespread solution –

automated metros, in all 4 continents (fig. 1). The highest prevalence is in Asia and Europe (see fig. 2) but Page | 5

North America, and more recently South America and the Middle East are developing automated metro systems.

Figure 1: Cities with automated metro lines, as of 2011.

Unattended train automation is a widespread solution – 25 cities have opted for automated metros, in all 4 continents (fig. 1). The highest prevalence is in Asia and Europe (see fig. 2) but North America, and more recently South America and the Middle East are developing automated metro systems Figure 2: Geographic distribution of automated lines, as of 2011 Figure 2: Geographic distribution of automated lines, as of 2011

Geographic distribution of automated lines, as of 2011 North North America America 13% Middle East 13% Middle East 13%

South South America America 2% 2%

13%

Asia 39% Asia

39%

Apples and pears… the Atlas criteria Apples and pears…

indicated data correspond to:(length in km) Figure 4: The 10 longestThe automated lines in operation, 2011 Europe 33%

Europe 33%

9 UTO - Only metro lines without staff on board have been the Atlas criteria considered (GoA4 according to IEC 62267)

indicated data correspond to: Dubai Red L. 9 PublicThe transport service - Private lines have been Singapore CCL Lille L2

The 10 longest automated lines in operation, 2011 (length in km)

9

discarded UTO (airport services, peoplelines movers, etc.)

- Only metro without

staff on board have been

9 Train capacity – Only trains with aaccording minimum capacity considered (GoA4 to IECof62267) 100 passengers have been considered

9 Public

transport service - Private lines have been discarded (airport services, people movers, etc.)

Kuala Lumpur K. Jaya

Asia

9 Train capacity – Only trains with a minimum capacity of Europe

Vancouver Expo L.

100 passengers have been considered

Busan-Gimhae Dubai Green L.

Middle East North America

Copenhagen M1 / M2 Vancouver Millenium L. Singapore NEL 0

10

20

30

40

50

60

There are currently 588 km of automated metro in operation, in 41 lines that together serve 585 stations. Some of the longest metro lines in the world are actually automated.

Automation 2011 – historic achievements & growth www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

119 km. 2011 has brought the greatest growth in the history of UTO; over 100 km of automated

Page

Europe

Of the 25Busan-Gimhae cities with automated metros, 13 have more than one automated line:

Barcelona, Busan, Middle East Copenhagen, Dubai, Kobe, Lille, Nuremberg, Paris, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Toulouse and Vancouver. statistics

Dubai Green L.

59

North America

Figure 3: Km of automated metro in 2011, by city Copenhagen M1 / M2 Km of automated metro in 2011, by city

90 Vancouver Millenium L. 80 70

South America North America

Singapore NEL

Middle East

0

60

10

20

30

40

Europe 50

60

Asia

50 40 30

Automation 2011 – historic achievements & growth 20 10

Dubai Vancouver Singapore Lille Busan Paris Kuala Lumpur Toulouse Taipei Tokyo Copenhagen Nuremberg Seoul Kobe Torino Lyon Yokohama Barcelona São Paulo Nagoya Rennes Osaka Las Vegas Lausanne Hong Kong

0 119 km. 2011 has brought the greatest growth in the history of UTO; over 100 km of automated

lines inaugurated in a single year.

outside Europe

Significantly, most of this growth takes place (83%); Asia stands out with 70 km. Middle East also presents high growth numbers, particularly when the 22,5 km of Dubai are Of the 25 cities with automated metros, 13 have more than one automated line: Barcelona, Busan, Copenhagen, Dubai, complemented with Taipei, the lines in Makkah andand Riyadh (totalling in this case 52 new km in 2011).

Kobe, Lille, Nuremberg, Paris, Singapore, Tokyo, Toulouse Vancouver.

WORTH NOTING…

South

5: UTO km inaugurated in 2011 UTO km inaugurated in Figure 2011 Some developments are Geographic not included indistribution these figures (since they don’t fully complyAmerica with the stated Atlas criteria), but Geographic distribution East deserve to be noted, as they point to a bid for automation in Middle significant areas:

Shanghai Metro Line 10 (30 km),

19%

5%

designed as UTO but at the moment operating in manual mode, signals to the

interest for UTO. 119 km.Chinese 2011 has brought the greatest growth in the history of UTO; over 100 km of automated lines inaugufurther lines in Middle East confirm UTO as the preferred option in this region: rated in aTwo single year. Significantly, most of this growth outside Makkah (18 km), conceived well asout a UTO line, but not yet operating as such, represents a bid for UTO to solve takes place Europe (83%); Asia as stands with of also the most critical mobility issues innumbers. this region.

70 km. Middleone East presents high growth

Automation Trends

Ryadh (12 km) cannot be classified as a public transport system as it serves only a university campus. However, it is

Accelerated and growthEurope - In the last five years, the number of kilometres in worth noting, due to itsdynamism capacity and dimensions. service has doubled, (43 % in the last three years) with17% the opening of as many automated lines km as in the Taking these developments into account, total UTO figures reach 648 km and 644Asia stations. last 30 years. This elevated growth rate is expected to continue in the coming decades (see below) 59% Page | 11 Figure 9: Expected evolution in automated lines (km)

Expected evolution in automated lines (km)

Accelerated dynamism and growth- In the last five years, the number of kilometres in service has doubled, (43 % in the Global reach- UTO is no longer a European bid; in the last 3 years, UTO lines have entered into service in last three years) with the opening of as many automated lines km as in the last 30 years. This elevated growth rate is new regions, such as Middle East (Dubai and the particular cases of Ryadh and Makkah) or South America expected to continue in the coming decades (Sao Paolo), bringing automation to 4 continents. The 3 top cities in number of automated kilometres are

actually outside Europe: andUITP Singapore.

Source: “METRO AUTOMATION FACTS, FIGURES AND TRENDS” -Dubai, A global Vancouver bid for automation: Observatory of Automated Metros confirms sustained growth rates for the coming years, International Association of Public Transport (UITP) – Observatory of Automated Metros June 2013 The preferred choice for new lines & systems- Hard data confirms the projections – for | www.railwaypro.com new lines, UTO is the predominant choice, particularly in Europe, but also in the Middle East. Some Asian

60 Market development

Saudi Arabia has plans to build 9,900 km of railways [ by Elena Ilie ]

The railway company in Saudi Arabia has launched a Master Plan on transport providing a new dimension to railway transport. Until few years ago, the majority of Arab countries have not had railways and in the countries where railways existed, their standards were very obsolete compared to the European standards under constant development. Although most of them are rich countries, mainly due to their vast oil resources, they have not been interested in railway transport until recently, their attention and funds being directed to air and road transport. However, the recent railway revival or construction plans at national or transnational level, announced by a series of Arab countries, are observed with much interest by the railway world, especially by the players in the railway industry.

S

audi Arabia is one of these countries which announced the implementation of an extended programme on railway development which includes the construction of around 9,900 kilometres of railway network in three phases. The railway transport programme will be implemented from 2010 to 2040.

The country has enough financial resources and therefore the inauguration of railway passenger transport lines is expected in 2015. On the other hand, railway freight traffic is much more comprehensive. Cargo trains have been in operation since 2011 and they have since carried over 2 million tonnes of mineral resources.

The main objective of the Master Plan in Saudi Arabia is the establishment of a viable conceptual framework for the long-term development of a future freight and passenger transport network in the Kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia will build railway connections with the neighbouring countries and with the international markets in order to improve the investment climate and to facilitate economic diversification. These include aligning to the international practices and technical standards. This final aspect is very

relevant for the interoperability of railway networks”, shows the transport programme 2010-2040.

The first phase, which has the highest priority, consists in the construction of 5,500 km of railways in 2010-2025. SAR 63 Billion (EUR 12.8 Billion) will be allocated for this first phase. The second phase, with medium priority, consists in the development of 3,000 km of railways in the period 2026-2033. SAR 209 Billion (EUR 42.6 Billion) will be allocated for the projects included in the first phase. The third phase, with the lowest priority, includes the modernisation of a network of 1,400 km of railways owned by the state, a network which is now obsolete. This phase will be carried out in the timeframe 20342040 and will rely on SAR 93 Billion (EUR 18.9 Billion).

The railway network included in the first development phase includes significant railway projects, some of which are already completed and others on-going. Thus, the double modernisation of the two existing railway lines between Dammam and Riyadh will take place. The development of the project in plan “Saudi Railway Platform” between Riyadh and Jeddah and between

Dammam and Jubail has received the green light for the organisation of tenders. Another very important project is Haramain project which includes the high-speed connection of the cities of Mecca, Jeddah and Medina.

This project is currently in construction and will be inaugurated in 2014.

Also, the first phase included the “NorthSouth Mineral Line” which carries mineral resources between the northern regions, Ras Al Khair / Jubail and the capital Riyadh.

This project also includes the connection to the proposed ESCWA network – the railway network in Jordan via Al Haditha. ESCWA is the Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia. The links to the network of the Persian Gulf countries are very important, with lines between Batha to the Saudi border with the United Arab Emirates - Hofuf and Jubail - Ras Al Khair –Kuwait border, as well as the connections with the future networks in Qatar and Bahrain.

According to the Saudi Railway Organisation, the comprehensive development plan 2010 – 2040 represents the basis for the long-term development of the railway network in Saudi Arabia.

Саудовская Аравия планирует построить около 9,900 километров железнодорожных линий

Source: EEA, 2012

www.railwaypro.com | June 2013

Железнодорожная компания Саудовской Аравии начала план развития транспортного сектора, с помощью которого она планирует придать железнодорожному транспорту новое измерение. Несколько лет назад в большинстве арабских государств не было железных дорог, а в странах, где существовала сеть железных дорог, она сильно отстаивала от быстро развивающихся европейских стандартов. Недавние планы восстановления или строительства железных дорог на национальном или транснациональном уровне, объявленные рядом арабских государств, прослеживаются с большим интересом в железнодорожном мире, особенно это вызывает интерес промышленности.