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EC backs cash for intermodal projects
Page 7
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THE EUROPEAN Commission has signalled that it is prepared to allow national governments to funnel large sums of money direct to haulage companies to finance intermodal transport.
Brussels has said that under European Union (EU) state aid rules an Austrian government programme making €35m available to transport companies until 2011 is legal.
The EC says Austria's State Fund ERP will "be able to grant transport firms loans at interest rates that are better than market rates. The loans can be granted for different combined transport activities: investment in specific transport infrastructure and equipment and new technologies". The EC supports the scheme because it follows EU transport policy, which "aims to promote the switch of freight transport from the roads to the railways or inland waterways".
The EC has also approved €56m of Czech government funding for the purchase of combined transport rail wagons.