Based on the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), the new action plan for high-speed rail is intended to contribute to the creation of a fast, interoperable rail network connecting major European cities. While the regions and European companies will benefit from investments, improved connections and increased passenger numbers, the plan also aims to encourage travellers to opt for rail instead of short- and medium-haul flights.

By contrast, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan is intended to encourage investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels. It aims to ensure that the objectives of the RefuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime initiatives from the Fit for 55 package of the last legislative period are achieved. Around €100 billion in investment is needed to produce sufficient quantities of biofuels and e-fuels by 2035. By 2027, at least €2.9 billion is to be mobilised through EU instruments such as InvestEU, the European Hydrogen Bank and the EU research programme Horizon Europe.

 

Context of the communication on high-speed rail

 

There are high hopes for the impacts of high-speed rail in Europe. According to the action plan, it is key to achieving a united and sustainable Europe. As well as shifting transport towards more environmentally friendly alternatives, it could strengthen industry competitiveness, ease pressure on urban housing markets, and create new opportunities for smaller towns. In his report on Europe's competitiveness, also Mario Draghi emphasised the importance of investment in infrastructure. Meanwhile, in his report on the EU internal market, Enrico Letta criticised the fact that high-speed transport mostly ends at national borders.

 

Back in 2020, the strategy for sustainable and smart mobility set the goal of doubling high-speed transport by 2030 compared to 2015 and tripling it by 2050. Building on this, the TEN-T Regulation of 2024 stipulates that high-speed rail connections – with speeds of over 200 km/h – between major European conurbations must be implemented by 2040. However, we are still a long way from achieving the targets set in 2020. By 2023, there had only been a 17 per cent increase. Most high-speed rail lines are still located in Spain, France, Italy and Germany, while there is still a lot of catching up to do, especially in Central and Eastern Europe.

 

The proposed measures at a glance

 

The new communication sets out a roadmap for realising the vision of a functioning high-speed rail system by 2040. In this context, Member States are also encouraged to consider exceeding the minimum requirements set out in the TEN-T Regulation and, if economically feasible, to implement lines with speeds well above 250 km/h. Specific target travel times are required for priority connections, especially between capital cities. For instance, the duration of a train journey from Vienna to Berlin is to be reduced to 4.5 hours.

The EU Commission's proposed roadmap includes measures to remove cross-border barriers, improve financing conditions, harmonise rolling stock requirements, and strengthen the EU's role in network planning and coordination. The four pillars, or areas of action, include the following specific measures:

 

1. High-speed rail network – acceleration and harmonisation: removal of the most important bottlenecks, simplification of permitting procedures, coordination of a financing strategy, multilateral commitments in a "High-Speed Rail Deal"
2. Legal framework for rail services: development a second-hand market for rolling stock, improvement of passenger rights and booking options when travelling with different operators, better air-to-rail connectivity
3. Harmonised and innovative EU rail sector: ambitious deployment of the ERTMS rail traffic management system, harmonised requirements for high-speed trains, uniform train driver certification
4. EU governance for high-speed rail: revision of the legislation governing the European Railway Agency (ERA), better monitoring of progress on high-speed rail networks, better coordination of rail infrastructure capacity, roundtable discussions on selected city connections

 

An initial assessment of the plan

 

The European Consumer Organisation BEUC welcomes the fact that the EU Commission's new action plan aims to make sustainable rail travel more attractive and affordable. For far too long, passengers have been subjected to complicated booking systems, limited passenger rights, poor connections and disappointing service. Many of the recommendations set out in the paper Railway to (Consumer) Heaven have been taken up. It is now important to implement them quickly.  

 

AK also welcomes the action plan. However, it will only be successful if the EU's Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding is increased in the next multiannual EU financial framework (MFF). At the same time, the European rail industry’s potential for highly skilled jobs, European value creation and innovation leadership must be better exploited through an appropriate European strategy. In view of the increasing fragmentation of the market, strict and harmonised labour and safety standards must also be ensured. This requires EU-wide, tamper-proof digital monitoring and enforcement of working, driving and rest time provisions for mobile railway personnel.

 

Further information:

 

EU Commission: New plans for high-speed rail and sustainable fuels for aviation and waterborne sectors

EU Commission: Commission launches plan to accelerate high-speed rail across Europe

AK EUROPA: The Draghi Report. Competitiveness at the centre of EU policy

AK EUROPA: "Much more than a market". Leave no one behind in the Single Market

AK EUROPA: Trans-European Transport Networks: Focus on employees!

AK EUROPA: “Fit for 55” – Europe’s path towards climate neutrality

AK EUROPA: Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy

BEUC: High-speed rail action plan could be just the ticket for consumers

AK Vienna: So wird Österreich zur Bahnfabrik Europas (German only)