Boosting high-speed rail to enhance EU cohesion and competitiveness
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Rail a strategic asset for modal shift, climate neutrality and strategic autonomy
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Adequate and dedicated funding needed in next EU long-term budget
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Affordability and transparent ticketing crucial
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EU rail sector employs over 1.3 million workers across manufacturing, construction, maintenance and operations
On Tuesday, Parliament endorsed its recommendations for accelerating the development of the EU’s high-speed rail connectivity and improving territorial cohesion.
Adopted with 558 votes in favour, 23 against and 73 abstentions in response to the Commission’s action plan, the report calls for a genuine European high-speed rail network that is interoperable, innovative, accessible and intermodal, delivering genuine value for citizens and public investment alike.
Better connecting cities and regions
MEPs want high-speed rail to connect not only EU capitals, but also major urban nodes across all European regions and key neighbouring countries, either through direct high-speed rail services or effective connections to the high-speed rail network. This would contribute to reducing territorial disparities and strengthening the connectivity of peripheral and less-developed regions, according to MEPs.
Their report advocates for the completion of the trans-European network for transport (TEN-T) and the identification of missing links, and abandoned or underserved sections or cross-border connections with high added value.
Sufficient, predictable and long-term funding
MEPs want the sector to make full use of existing and future EU funds for the development of the high-speed rail network. They want the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework to ensure adequate and dedicated funding, including through preserving and strengthening the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and supporting investments through national plans.
Affordable and transparent rail tickets
Accessible and affordable rail services are essential to reducing transport poverty and ensuring equal mobility across the EU, MEPs say. They encourage countries and railway operators to make high-speed train tickets more affordable, including through accessible fares and appropriate reduced-fare or subscription schemes. The report also calls for greater transparency in ticket pricing and welcomes the ongoing legislative work on the Commission’s recently-proposed passenger package, which is expected to deliver interoperable, visible, accessible and easily comparable rail ticket offers.
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Rapporteur Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Greens/EFA, ES) said: “A high-speed rail connection between Europe’s main cities will enable a massive shift in travel from airplanes to trains for passengers. This is a key element in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, creating decent jobs, and significantly increasing our strategic autonomy. This requires adequate investment across the EU, including the use of green rail bonds, and it must not come to the detriment of the commuter and regional rail services used by people in their daily lives.”
Background
In November 2025, the Commission adopted a high-speed rail action plan setting out the steps needed to create a faster, more interoperable and better-connected European network by 2040. More than €100 billion from EU programmes has been allocated to rail infrastructure projects since 2014.