Since The European Year of Rail in 2021(Do you remember this?) the EU has been committed to boost long distance and cross border passenger rail travel across Europe. See here for further details: –https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/action-plan-boost-passenger-rail-2021-12-14_en

NOVEMBER 2025

Then, last November the EU Commission launched their plans for supporting an expanded European High-Speed rail Network. The plans are ambitious and they hope to implement them by 2040. See here for further details:- https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport-modes/rail/high-speed-rail-plan_en

Here a few highlights from the plan:

>> By 2030 passengers will be able to travel between Berlin and Copenhagen in 4 hours, instead of the 7 hours required today.

>> By 2035, Sofia and Athens will be a train trip of 6 hours apart, reducing travel times by more than 50%.

>> New connections will make it possible to travel by train between the Baltic countries as of 2030, and from Paris to Lisbon via Madrid by 2035. 

–MAY 2026 One journey, one ticket, full rights: Commission simplifies Europe-wide travel booking and train travel

And now, this year in May, the EU announced draft regulations for improved Rail Passenger rights. There are three proposals to simplify planning and booking for regional, long-distance and cross-border travel, particularly for rail journeys involving multiple operators, and to ensure better protection for rail passengers for the entire journey. These proposals now have to be agreed and/or amended by both the European Parliament and the Council of EU Transport Ministers. We are hoping these will not be “watered down” during this process. See here for further details: – https://transport.ec.europa.eu/news-events/news/one-journey-one-ticket-full-rights-commission-simplifies-europe-wide-travel-booking-and-train-travel-2026-05-13_en

What a shame that it will be missing out the UK – when the train will also be visiting Serbia & Macedonia who like the UK are not members of the European Union and happy to support the European Year of Rail in 2021. Click here for more information: https://www.connectingeuropeexpress.eu/

This was formally launched under the current Portuguese Presidency of the EU on Monday 29th March. Working with Back on Track, Greenpeace and other environmental groups, we published an open letter outlining a 5 point action plan. The plan sets out specific actions needed to to achieve much improved cross-border and long distance rail services across Europe.

For further information click here: – OPEN LETTER (greenpeace.org)

EUROPEAN PUBLIC OPINION POLL SHOWS SUPPORT FOR SHIFTING FLIGHTS TO RAIL

YouGov carried out a survey with a representative sample of over 6000 adults in 5 different EU countries in early February. The survey confirmed an increasing concern over the problem of transport related emissions. It also confirmed the growing popularity of night trains and 73% wanted rail fares to be cheaper than air fares.

For further information click here:- European Public Opinion Poll – Shifting Flights to Rail (germanwatch.org)

At the end of December the European Union(EU) formally launched this initiative as part of their “Green New Deal” project. There will be a series of events during the year promoting rail. We are also expecting various planned improvements to the rail network to be “speeded-up” during the year. Although the UK is no longer a member of the EU, we are hoping that they will formally support this initiative.

Further information at https://europa.eu/year-of-rail/index_en

Scientific evidence: rail is Covid-safe

The UIC (International Union of Railways) in December published a state-of-the-art document with examples of scientific evidence, case studies and mathematical models that shows that clusters of Covid-19 are rare on public transport and among train staff, and that the probability of becoming infected on public transport is relatively low. A separate chapter focuses on the risk perception of Covid-19 on public transport and shows that, according to recent surveys, members of the general public have said that they would be eager to return if mitigation measures are put in place.

Further information at https://uic.org/com/enews/article/the-uic-covid-19-task-force-has-published-a-new-state-of-the-art-entitled