Brussels – The ambitious European high-speed rail network, which European Commission President von der Leyen wants to help connect European capitals, pleases the passenger rail industry. The goal is to improve connectivity by linking it with priorities of decarbonizing and strengthening European competitiveness.
“We wholeheartedly support President von der Leyen’s recent call for an ambitious European high-speed rail network as a vital step towards advancing sustainable transport,” said Alberto Mazzola, executive director of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER). It will also become essential to integrate the open sales and distribution model (OSDM) into the present regulatory framework, the CER‘s executive director added.
OSDM is nothing more than a European adapter to link national sales systems. In practice, it facilitates the purchase of international tickets across the EU and allows combining different modes of transport into a single purchase (and with cheaper fares). Mazzola says ongoing investments should be protected “to secure OSDM implementation by 2025, thereby enhancing ticketing processes across Europe.”
François Davenne, director general of the International Union of Railways (UIC), agrees. At the annual meeting held in Vilnius, hosted by the Lithuanian Railways (LTG), thanks in part to speeches by the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Transport and Communications, Loreta Maskalioviene, it was possible to analyze the situation of European transport and to assess the future potential for the expansion of rail transport in Europe. The crucial words are collaboration and functionality, with eyes on 2030 as the target date for completing the remaining sections of the Trans-European Transport Network.
As Davenne said, the green transition and sustainability thank us. “Rail accounts for 7-8% of global freight and passenger transport, but emits only 1-2% of total transport emissions, positioning it as a key and ready player in making mobility and tourism more sustainable.” According to the UIC director, there is a lack of investment, which is critical to achieving the climate goals set by the EU.
At the meeting, CER and UIC pledged to work closely with infrastructure managers and rail operators. Promoting stronger partnerships and stringent standards imposed by European regulations can ensure greater efficiency and integration at the EU level. The rail sector also wants to contribute to the 2050 climate neutrality target, opening up to collaboration with all involved stakeholders to make a substantial impact.
The goals established at the informal meeting of European transport ministers held on September 19-20 in Budapest are back and are part of the EU’s Strategy for Clean and Sustainable Mobility. Among the objectives is doubling traffic on the high-speed network by 2030 and tripling it by 2050, which requires large-scale projects to commit to. One of these is the Rail Baltica, aiming to integrate the Baltic countries with the European rail network.
This commitment from industry leaders can only please von der Leyen. In the mission letter of the commissioner-designate for sustainable transport and tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the Commission president identified these projects as crucial objectives of Tzitzikostas’s mandate, and the support of the associations will facilitate the European work.
The two associations asked the Commission “to facilitate and support appropriately, through a suitable regulatory framework, the smooth implementation of existing solutions.” The ball has effectively been passed to President von der Leyen. In the interest of achieving the goals for 2030 (approaching quickly) and 2050, she will have to weigh her decisions carefully.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
