
During the past months, the European Commission proposed and adopted different measures impacting transport and mobility, since the Communication of 16 March on the restrictions of non-essential travel, the Guidelines of 23 March on “Green Lanes” (reduced timeframe for freight checks at the internal borders to max. 15 minutes, transport workers’ permission to cross borders) and the Guidelines of 30 March on the free movement of workers during the pandemic
The indicated measures, with the joint European Roadmap of 15 April, paved the way to cross-border coordination, gradual lifting of internal border controls subject to the epidemiological situation in the different regions, etc. The most recent guidelines on restoration of transport services has allowed easing of travel restrictions by the Member States in consultation with the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Control).
All these measures have ensured mobility and transport through the most acute phases of the pandemic till now, providing mobility options for passengers towards safe collective transport, coordination and clear rules on the protection of drivers and passengers.
At the same time, it should be noted that during the whole period, rail freight never stopped, and has demonstrated its resilience while benefitting from the lower absorption of capacity by passenger trains. Nevertheless, also freight has suffered from a decrease in demand in some areas due to the contingent situation and the stop of industrial activities in major European regions and globally.