Making users pay for infrastructure
A new harmonised approach to paying for infrastructure use has been proposed by the European Commission in a White Paper entitled "Fair payment for infrastructure use: A phased approach to transport infrastructure charging in the EU". This paper documents the development of the "user pays" principle and the resultant benefits in terms of technical efficiency and reduced environmental costs. It is estimated that this could lead to overall savings to the transport system of around ECU 50 billion per year. The White Paper details how a new charging system could link the charges levied for the use of transport infrastructure such as roads, ports, air traffic services or railways to the costs imposed. The system would be phased in gradually, and, rather than set actual charging levels, will establish a framework to be implemented by Member States. The next stages in the development of the new charging system will involve three phases: - In the first phase (1998-2000), the Commission will work together with the Member States committee to establish ways of estimating the marginal costs of transport, develop transport accounting methods and advise on research and statistical needs; - In the second phase (2001-2004), the principles developed would be put into effect in road, rail, ports and airports; - In the third phase, beyond 2004, the Commission and the committee would review the work to date and consider how to take it further.