Commission registers European Citizens' Initiative on accessible and sustainable transport

Today, the European Commission registered a European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) entitled ‘Fast, convenient, affordable, and above all climate-friendly transportation for all Europeans’.

The initiative invites the Commission to ‘make travel by train a true alternative to aviation by creating a strong continental network and organization and removing imbalances in the market’. Specifically, the organisers propose an ‘introduction of an EU-wide aviation fuel tax’, a ‘removal of VAT exemptions and the introduction of fair pricing’ and the ‘allocation of revenues to a strong European rail organisation with far-reaching authority’.

As this initiative fulfils the formal conditions established in the relevant legislation, the Commission considers it legally admissible under the European Citizens' Initiative Regulation.

The Commission has not analysed the substance of the proposals at this stage. The registration does not influence the Commission's final decision on its merits, or any potential action it may take. The Commission will take a decision on the initiative only if it collects at least one million signatures from EU citizens.

More information is available in our press release.