| Author (Corporate) | European Court of Auditors |
|---|---|
| Series Title | ECA Special Reports |
| Series Details | No.03, 2013 (July 2013) |
| Publication Date | March 2013 |
| ISBN | 978-92-9241-204-3 |
| ISSN | 1831-0834 |
| Content Type | Policy-making, Report |
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Abstract: Since 2003, the Marco Polo programmes have financed projects that shift freight transport from road to rail, inland waterways and short sea shipping so as to reduce international road freight traffic, improve the environmental performance of freight transport, reduce congestion and increase road safety. Given the many weaknesses observed, the Court considers the programmes not to be effective (they did not attain their output targets and had no impact in shifting freight off the roads; there are no data to assess the expected benefits; there were not enough project proposals; the limited quantities reported shifted are uncertain; many projects were of poor sustainability and would have started even without EU-funding). The Court therefore suggests discontinuing the Marco Polo programmes and, in order to strengthen performance in possible future transport services support schemes, the Court makes funding conditional upon a detailed ex ante assessment of the potential demand, and only if such a potential exists, prescribes clear rules and conditions to respect for future funding. |
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| Source Link | http://dx.publications.europa.eu/10.2865/77812 |
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| Subject Categories | Mobility and Transport |
| Countries / Regions | Europe |
