The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) calls the European Commission to take action for a new high-speed rail master plan and has published its comprehensive input to the EC’s forthcoming Action Plan for HSR in Europe.
The Position Paper presents a clear vision and actionable roadmap for delivering a continent-wide HSR network that connects all EU capitals and major cities. Time-saving, climate-smart, and convenient, HSR is increasingly in demand for long-distance travel and has the potential to transform European mobility. When integrated with regional and local networks, HSR becomes the backbone of a seamless, modern, and inclusive transport system.
With the right investment and political commitment, the high-speed rail network could carry over half (54%) of Europe’s long-distance passengers by 2070, according to recent studies, CER says. The benefits of HSR go far beyond passenger mobility as it frees up conventional rail capacity for freight and regional services, connects people and regions, and supports the goals of the European Green Deal.
“With the right regulatory and financial framework, high-speed rail can be not only commercially viable, but also a cornerstone of a competitive, stronger, greener, and more connected Europe, as underlined in the recent Letta Report,” CER Executive Director, Alberto Mazzola, said, highlighting that the rail sector will help shaping a cohesive and achievable high-speed rail master plan in Europe, as part of EU’s ambition to triple high-speed rail traffic by 2050.
CER’s paper outlines key measures to unlock this potential, starting with a dedicated EU funding envelope for HSR in the next Multiannual Financial Framework. It calls for a stronger role for public investment, complemented where appropriate by private capital through innovative mechanisms such as Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), Regulatory Asset Base (RAB) models, and cross-financing. One of the biggest hurdles for international high-speed rail services is compatibility across borders.
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