WRITTEN QUESTION E-2633/02 by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Road tolls.
Date: 2002-09-18
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU financing, charges for use of infrastructure, commercial vehicle, road transport, toll, transport infrastructure, vehicle tax

17.4.2003

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 92 E/193

from ships per tonne kilometre are significantly lower than other transport modes, because ships move a
greater volume of goods at a lower speed. This is one reason why the Commission seeks to promote a
modal shift from road to waterborne transport. Nonetheless, it recognises that ships’ unitary emissions of
CO2 can be reduced and the Commission is therefore supporting the development of a greenhouse gas
indexing system at the IMO.

(for more details see http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/air/transport.htm (cid:1) 3).

(1)
(2) Council Directive 1999/32/EC of 26 April 1999 relating to a reduction in the sulphur content of certain liquid fuels

and amending Directive 93/12/EEC, OJ L 121, 11.5.1999.

(2003/C 92 E/252)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2633/02

by Philip Bushill-Matthews (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(18 September 2002)

Subject: Road tolls

Would the Commission confirm whether Member States have the power to levy tolls, and to retain in full
the money gained thereby, on roads which have benefited from receipt of European funding?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(21 October 2002)

Directive 1999/62/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 17 June 1999 on the charging of heavy
goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures (1) lays down the rules for the levying of tolls and user
charges on heavy goods vehicles (above 12 tonnes) for the use of certain infrastructures (motorways and
similar roads). Member States wishing to introduce or to maintain such tolls and user charges should
respect
legislation. According to Directive 1999/62/EC and following the European Court’s
jurisprudence (2), motorway toll rates on heavy goods vehicles have to be related to the infrastructure
costs of the motorway concerned regardless of whether the Community grants to finance construction
work have been received. The levels of motorway tolls on other types of vehicles (cars, coaches, lighter
commercial vehicles) are not covered by Community legislation.

this

As indicated in the White Paper on the European transport policy until 2010 (3), the Commission will
propose to amend the legislative framework related to infrastructure charging notably to ensure that the
different transport modes reflect more accurately the costs they engender. The Commission will publish in
the coming weeks a communication on the methodology for transport infrastructure charging.

(1) OJ L 187, 20.7.1999.
(2) Case C-205/98 Commission vs Austria.
(3) COM(2001) 370 final.

(2003/C 92 E/253)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2635/02

by Brian Simpson (PSE) to the Commission

(18 September 2002)

Subject: Low cost airlines and consumer rights

In light of the increase of complaints from consumers in regard to so-called low cost airlines, would the
Commission investigate the operations of these airlines to ensure that all EU consumer rights legislation is
being adhered to by this type of airline?