SLOW BUT STEADY PROGRESS FOR RAIL USERS ACROSS THE EU

DECEMBER 2021

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