Road transport: Council allows Austria to amend agreement with Switzerland on cabotage by buses and coaches in border regions 11:32 The Council adopted its position enabling[...]

Today, the Council adopted a general approach on a proposal allowing Austria to amend its bilateral road transport agreement with Switzerland. The amendment would allow cabotage operations in the border regions of Austria and Switzerland for passenger coach and bus services between the two countries.

Both Austria and Switzerland expressed an interest in updating the existing bilateral agreement of 1958 on the issue of cabotage in their border region, which is highly integrated economically and socially, with a lot of commuters moving daily in both directions. However, allowing cabotage between EU member states and a third country falls within the EU's exclusive competences. Under the Treaties, the EU may nevertheless authorise a member state to act in the areas of exclusive competence where this is duly justified and clearly circumscribed.

The authorisation would enable Austria to amend the bilateral agreement to permit limited cabotage operations in defined border regions. This would allow passenger services operating between Austria and Switzerland to pick up and drop off passengers within those regions, improving operational efficiency. The measure is also expected to enhance cross-border connectivity, further regional integration and to promote more sustainable mobility by making coach and bus services a more attractive alternative to private car use.

Cabotage operations would be strictly limited to the specified administrative districts of Bludenz, Bregenz, Dornbirn, Feldkirch in the region of Vorarlberg and the district of Landeck in the region of Tyrol.

Next steps

The European Parliament still needs to set its position. The presidency can enter negotiations with the European Parliament, once the latter reaches its own negotiating position, with a view to reaching an agreement on this file.

• General approach
• Commission proposal