Notices by Jon Worth (jon@gruene.social), page 21

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

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

Want to know if your city is an urban node? Here’s the PDF list: https://transport.ec.europa.eu/document/download/40f52207-d2d1-4cbf-9392-b61f37309ee8_en?filename=52022PC0384-ANNEX-2.pdf #ConnectingEuropeDays

Catherine Trautmann is a very experienced politician, now a TEN-T coordinator. But she still reads a speech *on a panel*. A panel ought to be a conversation. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Trautmann?wprov=sfti1# #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

Now SNCF Cécile Guilhaumaud is telling me passenger satisfaction is of central importance.

Through tickets are an advantage for passengers she says. Is she serious? SNCF is *terrible* at this.

#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 it’s a MASSIVE saving - in time to compose freight trains, and saving massive personnel costs - where even recruiting staff is v hard.

Departing Montbard for Paris this morning. Then onwards to Bruxelles. Not a regular #CrossBorderRail thread today - I’m going to #ConnectingEuropeDays - I’ll post using that tag

Here’s the #ConnectingEuropeDays programme https://transport.ec.europa.eu/connectingeuropedays/programme_en I don’t know if I’m allowed into the event about Digital Automatic Coupler at 1100 (I’m accredited only for the conference part). So I might not hear Wissing 😭 😭

I’m on a panel Thursday together with Michael Peterson (boss DB Fernverkehr) and Monique Goyens (BEUC)

On the “premium” service to Bruxelles for #ConnectingEuropeDays - Eurostar (ex-Thalys), my least favourite rail company. Paris-Bruxelles-Paris, €152 return, 2nd class

Only way to take a bike on this? Fold it

There’s an informal meeting of transport ministers at same time as #ConnectingEuropeDays

Georges Gilkinet reckons he can use the meeting to boost night trains. Will it be more than hot air and electioneering from him? https://www.euronews.com/travel/2024/03/30/the-return-of-the-night-train-belgium-plans-to-boost-sleeper-services-during-its-eu-presid

Saying “fair competition between modes” sounds nice but is damned hard to do

If Gilkinet (or anyone else) is serious about night trains, there’s only one question that matters.

To run more international night trains, someone (other than ÖBB) has to order more night train carriages for international use. Who will? And how will it be financed? No answer to that, then no progress.

#ConnectingEuropeDays

You know you’re in Belgium because the trains have graffiti covering the windows. Worse here than anywhere else in Northern Europe. #ConnectingEuropeDays

So I’ve got into the #ConnectingEuropeDays pre event at Train World Schaerbeek. Gilkinet giving his opening bla bla. Topic for this bit: freight and digital automated coupler.