Permanent Group on Transport

The Permanent Group on Transport (PG-T) acts as an internal think tank to the TEN Section on transport issues, in particular as a body to anticipate new challenges, and develop and review new ideas and concepts. This means, the PG-T seeks to reflect on perspectives and ideas, as well as on the overall role the EESC – as a representative of Europe’s civil society – can have in shaping Europe's transport future.

The PG-T has been working on the following topics:

Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034

PG‑T discussed with DG MOVE’s Unit for Transport Investment the European Commission’s proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034, focusing on transport‑related specific objectives. The discussion highlighted four key priorities:

• supporting cross‑border projects of common interest under TEN‑T;
• developing smart, resilient, decarbonised and sustainable transport infrastructure across the entire TEN‑T network;
• enhancing connectivity with third countries through TEN‑T‑related projects; and
• adapting transport infrastructure for dual‑use needs, including military mobility.

Maritime transport

In 2023, the TEN section embarked on extensive efforts concerning maritime legislation, with a notable milestone being the adoption of the Maritime Safety Package in September of that year. Building on the success of these initiatives, the PG-T sent a study visit to the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) at the beginning of 2024, keeping in mind the strategic role of the existing EU fleet to provide services that ensure energy and food security for the European Union and its citizens. Moreover, an own-initiative opinion will be dedicated to "Strengthening the EU maritime space through coordinated investment policies, social partners and civil society".

Mobility package

The PG-T has been an important partner for the rapporteurs of the Mobility package and closely monitors the European Commission's 2017 "mobility package" themes, such as market access measures, enforcement of social legislation and road charging.

Sustainable transport

The COP21 Paris Agreement commits all signatories to speeding up the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. This reduction depends largely on transport, the second largest GHG-emitting sector. With this in mind, the PG looked into "The impact of the conclusions of COP21 on European transport policy", followed by the opinion "Decarbonisation of transport".

Participatory dialogue on TEN-T policy

The PG-T strives to establish a dialogue between authorities, stakeholders and civil society on the TEN-T core network corridors. The concept was initiated by the Malmö conference "Shaping the Future of Core Network corridors" in 2015 and reaffirmed by the Milan conference "Improved dialogue for smart and sustainable transport" in 2016.