WRITTEN QUESTION E-2523/03 by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Validity for other parts of the EU of the successful Flemish model for expanding public transport, winning new passengers and providing services on a sound financial basis.
Date: 2003-07-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Flanders (Belgium), common transport policy, means of public conveyance, public transport, sustainable mobility

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WRITTEN QUESTION E-2547/03

by Joan Vallvé (ELDR) to the Council

(31 July 2003)

Subject: Linguistic coexistence as reflected in Spanish passports

The resolution of 10 July 1995 (1) requires all Member States to adjust the format of their passports by
replacing the term ‘European Communities’ with ‘European Union’.

In connection with this adjustment, a proposal has been tabled in the Spanish Congress of Deputies to
recognise the coexistence of official languages in the passports issued to citizens living in an autonomous
community where there is more than one official language. The Spanish Government, however, refuses to
accept that proposal, citing the resolution of 23 June 1981 (2).

Given that Article I-3 of the draft Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe states that ‘The Union shall
respect its rich cultural and linguistic diversity’ and Article II-22, moreover, stipulates that ‘The Union shall
respect cultural, religious and linguistic diversity’, thus echoing the Charter of Fundamental Rights, and
having regard to the conclusions arising from European Year of Languages, as laid down by decision of
Parliament and the Council: will the Council amend the above resolution so as to enable all the official
languages of a Member State to be incorporated in that state’s passports?

(1) OJ C 200, 4.8.1995, p. 1.
(2) OJ C 241, 19.9.1981, p. 1.

Joint answer
to Written Questions E- 2520/03 and E-2547/03

(17 November 2003)

The Council draws the attention of the Honourable Members to the fact that the Treaty of the European
Union does not provide for Community competence in this field.

(2004/C 65 E/185)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2523/03

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 July 2003)

Subject: Validity for other parts of the EU of the successful Flemish model for expanding public transport,

winning new passengers and providing services on a sound financial basis

1.
Is the Commission aware that (cid:1) partly as a result of efforts to reduce taxes and government
spending (cid:1) with the rise of the car loss-making public transport has been steadily declining and losing
passengers and that, as a result, transport links to and road safety and the quality of life in villages and
suburbs have suffered, whilst urbanisation, pollution and traffic problems have increased?

2.
Is the Commission aware, further, that in the Belgian federal State of Flanders the urban and regional
transport company De Lijn has succeeded in reversing this downward trend in the EU: over the last four
years, passenger numbers have increased by 47 %, and the figure for the period since 1990 is over 50 %?

Is the Commission aware that these excellent results have been achieved by means of the following

3.
measures:

(a)

since 1998 fares have been simplified and lowered;

(b) a decree has been issued laying down people’s right to basic mobility: as from 2006, anyone living in
a residential area must have a bus or tram stop within 500 to 750 metres of their home and services
must run at least hourly in rural areas and five times per hour in built-up areas;

(c) a number of target groups, such as young people, the elderly and inhabitants of the town of Hasselt,

have access to free public transport;

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(d)

(e)

in addition to the standard package offered by De Lijn, municipalities may buy in from a special
‘menu’ additional services or fare reductions for target groups;

collective season tickets are sold to firms for their staff as an alternative to the reimbursement of
individual travel expenses, with employees’ partners also receiving a free season ticket;

(f) De Lijn plays an active role in preparing policy decisions and in hiring small competitors to provide

50 % of bus services?

4.
Is the Commission prepared to draw the attention of other competent authorities in the EU to the
success of the Flemish model and to remove obstacles which might prevent such authorities from
following the Flemish example?

Source: OV Magazine (Netherlands), 10 July 2003

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(12 September 2003)

The Commission is keenly aware of the importance of high quality public transport services. In view of
this it undertakes a number of initiatives in this field.

One of the most relevant activities has been its work on the proposal adopted in 2002 (1) 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. As recent court cases have shown, it is now more
urgent than ever to make progress with this dossier.

There are a number of examples of successful growth of public transport use in the Union and the
Commission welcomes the success that has been achieved by ‘De Lijn’.

Many factors can contribute to desirable developments in this field. Some are matters for the management
of public transport operators, while others rely on an appropriate legislative framework. It is appropriate
for local authorities to have sufficient freedom to address local issues and encourage public transport
development, but they must of course respect the framework of Union rules.

The Commission welcomes also the specific measures for target groups (young people, elderly and people
with disabilities).

The Commission is keen to promote examples of good practice in public transport. The European Local
Transport Information Service (2) is a project which the Union has funded for sharing examples of good
practice.

Another way that the Commission is supporting best practice is through its urban transport benchmarking
exercise comprising a series of projects. The third project is starting now and the Commission is keen to
encourage public authorities to participate.

(1) OJ C 151 E, 25.6.2002.
(2) www.ELTIS.org

(2004/C 65 E/186)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2528/03

by David Bowe (PSE) to the Council

(29 July 2003)

Subject: Body piercing

Does the Council consider it necessary to make proposals for minimum common standards for licensing
and operation for the commercial provision of the services of tattooing or body piercing in the EU in
order to protect the health of the general public and to avoid needless tragedies like the recent death of
Daniel Hindle in Sheffield in the UK? If not, why not?