[1] Europeans enjoy unprecedented levels of personal
mobility, while goods are shipped rapidly and efficiently
from factory to customer, often ∈ different countries. The
[4] European Union (UN) has stimulated this freedom of
movement by opening national markets and by removing
physical and technical obstacles. But today’s transport
[7] patterns and growth rates are unsustainable.
Moving people and goods quickly, efficiently and
cheaply is a central tenet of the EU’s goal for a dynamic
[10] economy and cohesive society. The transport sector
generates 10% of EU wealth ∈ terms of gross domestic
product (GDP) and provides more than ten million jobs.
[13] The constant growth ∈ mobility puts severe strains
on transport systems. The result is congestion, particularly
for road and air traffic which reduces economic efficiency,
[16] and adds to fuel consumption and to pollution.
Although many aspects of transport policy come
under national governments, it makes sense for the European
[19] single market to have a single transport infrastructure. This
is why the EU has opened national transport markets across
the Union to competition, particularly ∈ the road and air
[22] sectors and, to a lesser extent, for rail.
As a result, trucks can operate ∈ countries other
than their own, and no longer return empty on international
[25] journeys. In 2003, a first liberalisation package opened about
70-80% of long-distance rail freight traffic to competition.
Liberalisation alone cannot solve several
[28] deep-seated problems. These include the dominance of road
over other forms of transport, pollution, and the
fragmentation of transport systems, including poor links to
[31] outlying regions and between national networks.
Congestion charging, where users pay for access to
scarce infrastructure, is also being introduced. One example
[34] is the system, pioneered by London ∈2003, which charges
motorists for driving into central districts of town and cities.
Rail is the first target. A freight train ∈ the EU travels at an
[37] average speed of 18 kilometres per hour. Rail must improve
speeds and service levels if it is to attract freight traffic from
roads.
internet: europa.eu (adapted)
Based on the text, judge the next item.
The EU has brought about unquestionable transport patterns.
