WRITTEN QUESTION E-2891/00 by Stefano Zappalà (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Società Autostrade.
Date: 2000-09-14
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European Commission, Italy, electronic money, exchange of information, motorway, price disparity, toll

18.4.2001

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 113 E/205

I would also point out that the opening of European centres in all Member States does not depend solely
on the good will of the Commission. National government funding is generally essential since the national
consumer organisations do not have the necessary resources.

A Euroguichet is soon to be opened in Sweden and the Commission is also involved in discussions with
Belgium, Denmark, Greece, Italy and the Netherlands.

The Commission will send the 1999 report on the activities of the Euroguichets directly to the Honourable
Member as soon as it is available.

(2001/C 113 E/219)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2891/00

by Stefano Zappal(cid:224) (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Societ(cid:224) Autostrade

In Italy, Societ(cid:224) Autostrade S.p.A.
is the contractor responsible for managing most of the country(cid:146)s
motorways. Customer relations are handled by the company(cid:146)s local branches. Amongst the services
provided are the (cid:145)Viacard(cid:146) and (cid:145)Telepass(cid:146) systems, which are based upon a contractual relationship between
the company and motorway users.

In order to use such services, a deposit is required, as is authorisation to debit the customer(cid:146)s bank account
directly.

Despite this commitment by the user, the agency can discontinue the service of its own accord, without
even using up the credit available or using the direct debit facility.

Users of this service (access to and use of infrastructure) who have (cid:145)Viacard(cid:146) and (cid:145)Telepass(cid:146) contracts pay
nearly three and a half times as much as those who pay directly.

Given the above, can the Commission,
in particular the Commissioner responsible for health and
consumer protection, Mr David Byrne, say what action it intends to take against the Italian Government,
once it has ascertained that the above statements are true, to ensure that European citizens can have an
honest, transparent, non-discriminatory and non-coercive relationship with the agencies responsible for
public services and with Societ(cid:224) Autostrade S.p.A in particular?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(19 October 2000)

The Commission has submitted a request for information to the Italian government, so as to establish
whether the facts referred to in the question are true and whether they are compatible with Community
regulations, in particular those concerning toll roads and consumer protection.

(2001/C 113 E/220)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2892/00

by Bart Staes (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(14 September 2000)

Subject: Infringement of freedom of opinion and human rights in Italy

Dr. Giuseppe Segato, born in Borgoricco (PD) on 17 June 1954, has been sentenced to three years and
seven months(cid:146) imprisonment for (cid:145)subversion(cid:146) because he aided and abetted the group which, on 9 May
1997, peacefully occupied the bell-tower in St. Mark(cid:146)s Square in Venice with a view to demanding self-
government for the Veneto. In Italy, provisions such as Article 241 of the criminal code, dating back to