European Commission outlines high-speed rail strategy - EXCLUSIVE

CE Report presents an exclusive interview conducted via email with a European Commission expert responsible for high-speed rail infrastructure and policy. The discussion focuses on the Commission’s strategy to overcome regulatory, technical, and financial barriers that continue to hinder cross-border high-speed rail travel within the EU.

What are the Commission’s priorities for addressing the main regulatory and technical barriers that continue to hinder cross-border high-speed rail travel within the EU?

In the Communication ‘Connecting Europe through High-Speed Rail’, the Commission proposes four key strands of action:

- Removing cross-border bottlenecks through binding timelines to be set by 2027 and the identification of options for higher speeds, including well-above 250 km/h when economically viable.

- Developing a coordinated financing strategy, including a strategic dialogue with Member States, industry and financiers leading to a High-Speed Rail Deal to mobilise the required investment.

- Improving the conditions for the rail industry and rail operators to invest, develop innovative solutions and operate competitively, including through a more attractive regulatory environment, by enhancing cross-border ticketing and booking systems, supporting a second-hand market for rolling stock, accelerating the deployment of the EU digital management systems, and fostering R&D and cooperation on scalable solutions.

- Strengthening EU-level governance, requiring infrastructure managers to coordinate on capacity for cross-border long-distance services, and facilitating standardisations and authorisations.

The Annex of the Communication (pages 19–21) provides an overview of the next measures that the Commission will take to deliver on its vision.

How does the Commission plan to support member states with slower infrastructure development—particularly in Central and Eastern Europe—to ensure their integration into the proposed transcontinental high-speed network?

The Communication focuses on connections between major cities in Europe, extending beyond capitals, and covers most regions along the European Transport Corridors. It aligns with a key objective of the TEN-T Regulation, which is to ensure accessibility and connectivity across the EU. The TEN-T Regulation also aims to link regional rail services and public transport to high-speed rail. Given the design of the TEN-T and its objectives, all regions should benefit from investment in high-speed rail.

The MFF proposal for 2028 - 2034 foresees Connecting Europe Facility 3, with a transport budget of €51.5 billion. This additional budget will make possible many of the much-needed investments in high-speed rail across the whole Europe.

What mechanisms will be put in place to coordinate the estimated €345 billion investment needs by 2040 among EU institutions, national governments, rail operators, and financial bodies?

Building and upgrading high-speed rail infrastructure requires significant long-term investment. Estimates suggest that finalising the planned TEN-T high-speed network by 2040 will cost around €345 billion, while a more ambitious network operating at very high speeds (well above 250km/h) could cost as much as €546 billion by 2050.

Public funding alone will not be enough to meet the substantial investment needs. However, EU funding will be required to harness funding from other public and private sources. In particular, the development of the high-speed rail network will require private investment, and loans and guarantees from financial institutions, such as the European Investment Bank (EIB) and national promotional banks and institutions (NPBI).

The Commission will develop a financing strategy and engage in a strategic dialogue with Member States, financial institutions and other key stakeholders to bridge the investment gap. A “High-Speed Rail Deal” to be agreed in 2026 will set out joint commitments to mobilise resources across all these actors.

Could the Commission provide more detail on the expected timeline and scope of the upcoming legal proposal to harmonise digital ticketing systems across Europe?

The Commission is preparing a legislative proposal aimed at making it easier for passengers to find and purchase tickets for journeys combining services from different operators. The aim is to increase passengers' choice and digital access to all tickets, as well as make more rail tickets available on major ticketing platforms, including from smaller rail companies. This proposal, planned for early 2026, should be complemented by a targeted revision of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation, ensuring that passengers who buy their ticket in a single transaction on one platform are protected for the entire journey, regardless of how many operators or countries are involved.

What specific steps are being taken to prevent further delays in major rail projects, given recent setbacks such as stalled cross-border night trains, rolling-stock shortages, and national-level underinvestment?

The Communication addresses issues related to financing and rolling stock shortages.

Over the past 20 years, EU funding instruments – such as the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), cohesion policy funding, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) – have proven essential in encouraging Member States to invest in priority infrastructure projects. The Commission will prioritise high-speed rail projects in a 2026 CEF call, paving the way for further investments in high-speed rail in the EU’s next long-term budget for 2028-2034. In addition, the Commission has encouraged Member States to use cohesion policy to support the development of high-speed rail on their territories. The High-Speed Rail Deal mentioned above will also give certainty and guidance to investors on the EU and national commitments to high-speed rail projects.

The Commission will also cooperate with financial stakeholders to expand or create new innovative financing tools for new entrants to acquire or lease rolling stock. To encourage the development of a second-hand rolling stock market, the Commission will also put forward proposals to limit the scrapping of functioning rolling stock and create transparent conditions for its resale.

Night trains will benefit greatly from the proposed improvements to capacity coordination, track access charges, vehicle authorisation and rolling stock financing.

This interview was prepared by Julian Müller