This autumn, the European Commission will present a plan to expand high-speed rail transport in Europe, EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas told The Guardian.
The project envisions “a long-term vision of a more connected, efficient, and competitive” railway network across the EU.
Tzitzikostas stressed the need for coordinated planning, funding, and deployment of infrastructure and rolling stock capable of operating “without borders.” He said high-speed rail must compete with air travel in terms of comfort, speed, and cost.
According to the commissioner, passengers will choose trains not only for their environmental benefits but also for their convenience and affordability.
Challenges include differing track gauges, rolling stock specifications, and signaling systems, as well as weak coordination between countries. Surveys show that 75% of EU citizens would prefer to travel by train if capital-to-capital connections were fast and reliable.
The Commission aims to double high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and triple it by 2050, creating a network of over 49,000 km at a cost of €546 billion.
Tzitzikostas noted that achieving this will require a coordinated funding approach combining EU funds, national investments, and private capital. It will also be crucial to harmonize operating rules and allow access for new operators.
He acknowledged that air travel is often cheaper and more convenient for passengers because the rail sector is underfunded and in need of substantial investment in infrastructure and rolling stock.
“I’m an optimist, and I love trains,” the commissioner added. “I imagine a day when you can have lunch in Copenhagen, board a train, and arrive in Prague in time for dinner.”
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