Beyond Borders at 250 km/h: Rail Sector Welcomes Europe’s New High-Speed Ambition

Europe is setting its sights on a faster, greener future. With its new High-Speed Rail Action Plan, the European Commission wants to connect major cities within hours, and the rail sector, led by CER, is calling for rapid delivery and funding to make it happen.

A new EU-level action plan for high-speed rail (HSR) aims to transform how Europeans travel. Announced by Executive Vice President Raffaele Fitto and Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the initiative seeks to connect the continent through a faster, greener, and more competitive network. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), representing over 40 years of HSR experience, welcomes the plan and praises the Commission’s ambition.

Building and operating high-speed rail boosts both the economy and the green transition. According to studies, every €1 million invested generates 2.8 job-years, while the full network could save 11.6 billion barrels of oil and 5 billion tonnes of CO₂ by 2070, delivering a net positive benefit of €750 billion.

The Network Connecting the Continent

To make the HSR master plan succeed, new and upgraded infrastructure is essential. The plan will not only create capacity for commuter and freight services but also cut journey times dramatically. By 2040, passengers could travel Warsaw–Berlin or Vilnius in 4 hours, and Berlin–Brussels, Madrid–Paris, or Munich–Rome in 6.

Raising the Speed and the Standard

CER commends the 250 km/h benchmark for new high-speed lines, ensuring rail can compete with short-haul air travel and match global leaders such as Japan and China.

A well-functioning network goes far beyond track construction. CER supports efforts to accelerate vehicle certification through the European Union Agency for Railways, harmonise train-path allocation, and expand ERTMS deployment. The sector looks forward to the 2026 ERTMS Deployment Plan and to appointing a European deployment manager to coordinate implementation.

Financing the European Travel Future

Completing the HSR network will require major investment, but once operational, it will sustain commercially viable services capturing over 50 % of long-distance passengers. CER calls for a level playing field across modes through VAT exemptions for international rail, and kerosene taxation reflecting aviation’s externalities.

To make rail truly competitive with flights, ticketing must be seamless and user-friendly, integrating the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) into EU standards.

"The true ambition of today’s High-Speed Deal is not just infrastructure — it’s an investment in Europe’s competitiveness and quality of travel. With a credible definition of high-speed rail now in place, the focus must shift to rapid delivery and coordinated funding to build the network and unlock its massive benefits for citizens," stated CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola.