2nd day at #ConnectingEuropeDays talking “urban nodes” (aka cities) and their connections to the EU Trans European Networks. It’s a jargon soup at the start.
“Every urban node needs a SUMP by 2027” (Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan) And These 431 nodes have to submit data. This largely makes sense, but the devil is going to be in the detail here. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Certain criteria that each urban node has a multimodal transport “hub” by 2030. Not the worst idea. Is the Commission going to check it happens? Each has to have a multimodal freight terminal too. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Catherine Trautmann is a very experienced politician, now a TEN-T coordinator. But she still reads a speech *on a panel*. A panel ought to be a conversation. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_Trautmann?wprov=sfti1# #ConnectingEuropeDays
Catherine Trautmann — Wikipédia

I thought the rail freight stuff was abstract yesterday. This TEN-T and urban nodes stuff today is worse. I’m totally lost. #ConnectingEuropeDays
We are proud to be an urban node, and won a prize for our urban mobility plan says Elke Van Den Brandt, Minister of Mobility and Public Works of Brussels. But can Brussels better join itself up with others? Like improving sustainable links to Germany for example?
#ConnectingEuropeDays
Give Elke Van Den Brandt her due: urban mobility in Brussels is massively improving. It’s so much better to cycle here than it used to be. #ConnectingEuropeDays
There must be some middle ground between broad brush political rhetoric and a soup of acronyms from officials. We’re definitely not finding it here though. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Some dude just tried to pitch hyperloop to me. “I don’t believe in hyperloop” I told him. I’m pretty sure I’m about the worst person he could have found. #ConnectingEuropeDays

Now SNCF Cécile Guilhaumaud is telling me passenger satisfaction is of central importance.

Through tickets are an advantage for passengers she says. Is she serious? SNCF is *terrible* at this.

#ConnectingEuropeDays

To explain: I can buy a through ticket from Berlin to any rail station in NL, BE, CH, AT, CZ, DK. Some even in PL, HU, SI, HR. And *pretty much none in France*. Because SNCF makes it next to impossible. #ConnectingEuropeDays
Ha. Now someone from the bus industry saying there are few complaints about their industry. It could perhaps be that your hope is so low if you take a bus? Sorry! #ConnectingEuropeDays
@jon Even with that, Flixbus has disappointed me badly.
@pettter @jon anyone who thinks there aren't complaints about buses isn't monitoring social media. People don't complain to bus operating companies or authorities any more because nothing changes.
@mjr @pettter Well you helpfully don’t notice that if you’re a lobbyist.