No Access, No Opportunity: Rail Sector Sounds Alarm on Transport Poverty

Access to transport is becoming a social issue across Europe, not just an infrastructure one. The rail sector is warning that without investment, millions risk being cut off from jobs, services and opportunity.

Ahead of Europe’s first Anti-Poverty Strategy, expected in May, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) is calling for strong and sustained investment in essential services like rail. As the Commission develops this new framework, transport poverty is emerging as a major challenge that must be addressed to ensure fair access to opportunities and essential services across Europe.

Transport poverty arises when people lack adequate or affordable transport options, limiting their ability to reach work, education, healthcare and other essential activities. It jeopardises what the Letta Report on the EU Single Market describes as the "freedom to stay" in one’s region, a principle increasingly seen as critical for the functioning and fairness of the internal market.

Amid the latest energy crisis, concerns are growing that transport poverty may deepen unless decisive action is taken. While a Social Climate Fund will provide important support to EU Member States, additional measures will be needed to keep mobility accessible for all.

Rail is a central part of the solution. Railways offer inclusive, reliable and energy-efficient mobility, helping reduce dependence on private car use and easing the burden of rising fuel costs on low-income and car-less households. Strengthening both regional rail services and long-distance connections is essential: local and regional lines enable citizens to remain and thrive in their home territories, while new plans for a European high-speed rail network will integrate regions into the wider European economy.

Funding and Policy Priorities

To support the success of the forthcoming EU Anti-Poverty Strategy, CER calls for a set of targeted actions aimed at improving accessibility and strengthening rail’s role across Europe.

These include a dual-level approach combining stronger local and regional accessibility with improved European connections, as well as targeted use of Social Climate Fund resources to prioritise energy-efficient and socially beneficial transport modes. CER also points out the need to use revenues from the Emission Trading System (ETS) to invest in sustainable mobility, pointing to Ireland’s example where nearly 75% of ETS revenues in 2024 were directed to public transport, including rail.

At the EU level, the association stresses the importance of robust and predictable funding, including a Connecting Europe Facility of at least €100 billion and dedicated rail support within broader EU financial instruments such as the National and Regional Partnership Plans.

Rail as a Social and Economic Tool

Alberto Mazzola underlined the broader implications of transport poverty: "Transport poverty is not only a mobility issue, it is a barrier to social participation and economic opportunity. Rail provides an affordable, sustainable and inclusive solution that can make a real difference for households across Europe."

"The EU Anti-Poverty Strategy must recognise this and ensure strong, long-term support for rail at local and regional level while reinforcing strategic European connections."

On Wednesday 22 April, the European Parliament Intergroup on Services of General Interest and the Social Economy hosted a discussion on the forthcoming strategy together with SGI Europe. The event was opened by Benedetta Scuderi and included contributions from João Oliveira, with Alberto Mazzola participating in a panel moderated by Marie Toussaint.

Source: CER