EEC plan road-rail perks
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FOR THE FIRST time the EEC Commission is proposing Common Market "incentives" to expand combined rail-road transport into an efficient pan-European system, reports our Brussels correspondent.
In a paper adopted this month, the Commission regards piggyback transport as a ray of hope for the financially-stricken railway systems in the EEC.
The paper continues: "Combined rail-road transport provides the answer to certain problems arising from changing demand patterns (reduction of bulk transport) and the need for railways to concentrate more on semi-finished and high-value commodities.
"Combined transport also offers the possibility of reducing transhipment costs and guarantees regular long-distance services at commercially competitive speeds so overcoming the traditional railway handicap.
"The increase of piggyback services is likely to recapture for the railways traffic which has been lost to road haulage, and public authorities should take efficient and economically sound measures to ensure that the obstacles to the development of combined transport are removed."