2nd day at #ConnectingEuropeDays talking “urban nodes” (aka cities) and their connections to the EU Trans European Networks. It’s a jargon soup at the start.
“Every urban node needs a SUMP by 2027” (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) And These 431 nodes have to submit data. This largely makes sense, but the devil is going to be in the detail here. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Certain criteria that each urban node has a multimodal transport “hub” by 2030. Not the worst idea. Is the Commission going to check it happens? Each has to have a multimodal freight terminal too. #ConnectingEuropeDays
We are proud to be an urban node, and won a prize for our urban mobility plan says Elke Van Den Brandt, Minister of Mobility and Public Works of Brussels. But can Brussels better join itself up with others? Like improving sustainable links to Germany for example? #ConnectingEuropeDays
Give Elke Van Den Brandt her due: urban mobility in Brussels is massively improving. It’s so much better to cycle here than it used to be. #ConnectingEuropeDays
There must be some middle ground between broad brush political rhetoric and a soup of acronyms from officials. We’re definitely not finding it here though. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Some dude just tried to pitch hyperloop to me. “I don’t believe in hyperloop” I told him. I’m pretty sure I’m about the worst person he could have found. #ConnectingEuropeDays
To explain: I can buy a through ticket from Berlin to any rail station in NL, BE, CH, AT, CZ, DK. Some even in PL, HU, SI, HR. And pretty much none in France. Because SNCF makes it next to impossible. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Ha. Now someone from the bus industry saying there are few complaints about their industry. It could perhaps be that your hope is so low if you take a bus? Sorry! #ConnectingEuropeDays
@pettter@jon anyone who thinks there aren't complaints about buses isn't monitoring social media. People don't complain to bus operating companies or authorities any more because nothing changes.
I also think the premise completing TEN-T will improve passenger rights is incorrect. It might improve the passenger experience (speed, reliability). But things will still go wrong and operators will still be malevolent. #ConnectingEuropeDays
WHAT? SNCF now saying high speed rail is more unreliable in Spain since new operators entered the market. 1) Isn’t it SNCF operated OUIGO that’s worst? And 2) isn’t it because there are now more trains running? #ConnectingEuropeDays
This presentation from Cécile Guilhaumaud from SNCF is amazing. She has no self awareness - anyone with any knowledge of this sector knows SNCF is in some of this doing precisely the opposite of what she is saying. #ConnectingEuropeDays
€6m cost for better info from SNCF Voyageurs as a result of 2023 Passenger Rights Regulation says Cécile Guilhaumaud. But can we know if SNCF is even fully compliant? #ConnectingEuropeDays
Damn I’m so stuck. I’m lost in this transport policy business.
I can’t stand the flowery rhetoric of politicians not backed up by action. I can’t bear officials hiding behind jargon. I can’t tolerate industry people saying the indefensible because they have to. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Now Delli complaining 40% of rail lines are not electrified. Don’t get me wrong - some of those ought to be electrified, but most of those lines are marginal, especially for freight. #ConnectingEuropeDays
You need a coherent intellectual framework to know how to talk about these big long term transport topics covered by TEN-T. And how to fit details into a whole. It’s genuinely hard. That’s probably why using jargon is so common here - it’s hard not to fall into that trap. #ConnectingEuropeDays
And now the moderator is making facile points about Turku being close to Russia is painful too. Thank goodness Minna Arve the mayor of Turku is 😎#ConnectingEuropeDays
What challenges does the revision of TEN-T bring you? Slido poll. Someone answered “France” and it’s 😂. I swear it wasn’t my answer. Really. #ConnectingEuropeDays
@jon Based on the size of the word cloud, I think at least two people submitted France. Why is France an obstacle? Asking for an American. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Does ÖBB put all its senior people through speech training? Because their people are always clear, even when I sometimes disagree. Judith Engel, Board Member for Network Expansion and Infrastructure Provision, ÖBB Infrastruktur AG, very much this here at #ConnectingEuropeDays
Honestly, that flyer seems like a sad product of "well, we have to do publicity, per our funding contract", but it already tells that the end is near. And this is after taking Dutch understatement and calmness into account.
At least the flyer doesn't claim that this will ever be broadly used.
There was probably the need to distribute 1000 flyers that day, so they can write "communication with 1000 high-profile stakeholders at European mobility conference" into their 2024 EU funding grant report.
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