WRITTEN QUESTION E-0801/02 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission. Travel concessions in Member States.
Date: 2002-03-20
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU Member State, international tariff, public service, rail transport, railway tariff, reduced price

14.11.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 277 E/89

As regards the Law on Associations, the Commission noted in its Regular Reports the restrictive nature of
the Law and the equally restrictive way in which it is implemented. The matter has been one of the regular
items in the political dialogue between the Union and Turkey.

The latest set of legislative amendments adopted by the Turkish Grand National Assembly on 26 March
2002 includes some amendments to the Association Law but not to Article 5(5), which was the basis for
the recent ban on the Cultural Association of the Union of Alevi and Bektashi Establishments. The
Commission therefore remains critical to the way freedom of association could be exercised in Turkey.

(1) Article 5(5) of the law on Associations indicates that ‘it is forbidden to found an association for the purpose of
engaging in any activity on the grounds of or in the name of any region, race, social class, religion or sect.’.

(2002/C 277 E/097)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0801/02

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(20 March 2002)

Subject: Travel concessions in Member States

What is the Commission doing to encourage railway companies to recognise travel concessions issued in
or by other Member States?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2002)

This question addresses an important issue in the development of the Community’s regulatory framework
regarding railways. It is true that the quality of international rail passenger services is hindered by the
national approaches of such services by railway undertakings and public authorities.

For unprofitable services railway undertakings award reductions to passengers belonging to specific
categories on the basis of (legal) provisions which largely differ between Member States. These differences
have major consequences for the definition of the categories of persons entitled to reduced fares as well as
to the size of the reduction which is geographically limited to the network operated by the railway
undertaking.

These reductions are awarded for services provided within the framework of public service obligations and
contracts under the amended Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 of the Council of 26 June 1969 on action by
Member States concerning the obligations inherent in the concept of a public service in transport by rail,
road and inland waterway (1). Railway undertakings receive financial compensations from the public
authorities to carry out services, which would have been unprofitable otherwise.

Particularly for regional cross-border services that are not profitable, it is desirable that public authorities
on both sides of the border co-operate in concluding a public service contract with a railway undertaking.
If concessionary fares are wanted by the public authority it is desirable that the concessionary fares are
applicable for travelling on both sides of the border. The Commission made proposals to facilitate such
approach but they still have to be approved by the Council and the Parliament (2).

For profitable services, the railway undertakings may conclude an arrangement for passenger services
between themselves (within the framework of Community Competition law) as is the case for Interrail
offering fare reductions across Europe for young people. In the upmarket segments of high speed trains

C 277 E/90

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

14.11.2002

international marketing of rail services is gradually improving, e.g. with yield management techniques. The
Commission will, as announced in the new rail package (3), launch an initiative to improve international
rail passenger rights and obligations and will address the issue of international fares as well. The Parliament
will be fully involved in that process.

(1) OJ L 156, 28.6.1969.
(2) Amended proposal for a Regulation of the Parliament and of the Council on action by Member States concerning
public service requirements and the award of public service contracts in passenger transport by rail, road and inland
waterway, 21/02/2002, COM(2002) 107 final.

(3) COM(2002) 18 final.

(2002/C 277 E/098)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0804/02

by Catherine Stihler (PSE) to the Commission

(20 March 2002)

Subject: Blood alcohol limits

In January 2001 the European Commission adopted a recommendation on the maximum permitted blood
alcohol content for drivers of motorised vehicles (2001/115/EC (1)). What has been the impact of this
recommendation on the policies of
the
recommendation had an impact in the accession countries?

the EU Member States and the EEA countries? Has

Can the Commission give details of rules on maximum blood alcohol content for drivers currently in force
in each of:

1. The EU Member States;

2. The EEA countries;

3. The accession countries?

(1) OJ L 43, 14.2.2001, p. 43.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 May 2002)

In accordance with the Commission’s recommendation of 17 January 2001 on the maximum permitted
blood alcohol content for drivers (1), several Member States are considering reducing the alcohol limit for
certain categories of drivers, in particular inexperienced drivers, in the near future. It is therefore premature
to assess the impact of the recommendation. The Commission intends to draw up a report on the
measures taken, but at a later stage. This report will also cover the countries of the European Economic
Area and the EU accession candidate countries.

It should be pointed out that the recommendation concerns not only the alcohol limit for drivers but all
aspects of combating drink-driving, in particular arrangements for controls and the equipment used by
police forces, information and awareness-raising campaigns, collection of statistics on the incidence of
alcohol in accidents and support for the search for and spread of best practices.

Following this recommendation and in accordance with the White Paper entitled ‘European Transport
Policy until 2010: Time to decide’ (2), the Commission has participated in several awareness-raising,
training and research schemes, giving priority to the protection of young drivers.

With regard to the general alcohol limits in force in the Member States, the Honourable Member should
consult the summary table in the chapter of the White Paper devoted to road safety issues.

(1) OJ L 43, 14.2.2001.
(2) COM(2001) 370 final.