How the New EU Commission Plans to Transform Europe’s Rail Network — And Why It Matters

CER pledges support to the new EU Commission as it tackles key transport priorities, including high-speed rail, sustainable mobility, and rail infrastructure.

CER's collaboration with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport & Tourism, centers on the high-speed rail agenda. CER has long championed high-speed rail development across Europe, a goal former Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta pointed out in his High-Level Report on the Future of the Single Market. According to a press release from CER, the rail sector is eager to see how the Commission will involve all necessary stakeholders to achieve the Smart and Sustainable Mobility strategy’s goals of doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2030 and tripling it by 2050. In addition to high-speed rail, CER is looking forward to Tzitzikostas’ efforts to accelerate rail freight, increase rail safety, and deploy the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) across the continent.

The Role of the EU Budget and Multiannual Financial Framework

As the European rail sector grows, CER closely watches the EU Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) under Piotr Serafin, the EU Commissioner for Budget. This framework will be crucial for shaping European competitiveness and the role of rail in regional cohesion. Alberto Mazzola, CEO of CER, stressed the importance of ensuring that railways are sufficiently supported in the EU budget to advance cross-border projects, ERTMS, and Digital Automatic Coupling (DAC) technologies. According to CER, it looks forward to collaborating with Commissioner Serafin to ensure that the next budget adequately recognizes railways’ role in safety, sustainability, and energy efficiency.

CER also praised Raffaele Fitto, the EU Executive Vice-President for Cohesion & Reforms, for his commitment to integrating regional and transport policy. This integration is critical in tackling transport poverty in rural and peripheral areas. With its cost-effective and sustainable transport solutions, rail can bridge the connectivity gaps in these regions, contributing to economic integration across the EU. CER anticipates strong regional and transport policy collaboration, improving mobility for all EU citizens.

EU’s Green Deal, Transport Decarbonisation and Social Rights in Rail Sector

As the EU Green Deal continues to shape European policies, CER commended Teresa Ribera Rodriguez, the Executive Vice-President for the Clean, Just, and Competitive Transition, for her commitment to implementing ambitious climate and energy targets. These targets include a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, aligning with CER’s goals of promoting carbon-neutral transport solutions. CER said that the upcoming revision of the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) Regulation in 2026 will be a crucial opportunity to recognize carbon avoidance and channel ETS revenues to rail and other sustainable transport initiatives.

CER is also looking forward to the Action Plan for the European Pillar of Social Rights as railways will play a key role in this social policy dialogue focusing on gender equality and the new Gender Equality Strategy, which is set to be introduced after 2025. CER promised to work to ensure that rail remains a key player in EU social policy, providing equal opportunities and skilled workforce development across the sector.

Focus on Clean Industrial Deal and Decarbonisation

In addition to these policy areas, CER is keenly interested in the Clean Industrial Deal that Wopke Hoekstra, the Commissioner for Climate, Net-Zero, and Clean Growth, is set to publish in the first 100 days of the new commission, according to European Parliament. This deal aims to simplify permitting processes, unlock more funding for green technologies, and support transport decarbonization, including rail. CER pointed out the importance of rail decarbonization and the potential impact of transport taxation on the intermodal level playing field for rail. Alberto Mazzola said, "We congratulate EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and her new College of Commissioners, and we stand ready to support them in all efforts to build a high-performing, sustainable, and inter-connected Europe."

Source: CER; European Parliament