Brussels – High-speed trains to connect not only EU capitals, but also major urban nodes across all European regions and key neighbouring countries. This is the aim of the resolution approved on Tuesday by the European Parliament with 558 votes in favour, 23 against and 73 abstentions, in response to the Commission’s action plan, the Parliament said.
MEPs are calling for “a European high-speed rail network that is interoperable, innovative, accessible and intermodal,” delivering genuine value for citizens and ensuring the effective use of public investment. According to the text, direct services and efficient connections would help reduce territorial disparities and strengthen the connectivity of peripheral and less-developed regions. The resolution also calls for the completion of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), identifying missing links, abandoned or poorly served routes, and cross-border connections offering the greatest added value.
Regarding resources, MEPs want existing and future EU funds to be utilised to the full. The 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework should ensure adequate funding by strengthening the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and supporting investment through national plans.
On the subject of pricing, Parliament considers affordable and cost-effective rail services essential to ensuring equal opportunities for mobility and calls on Member States and operators to make high-speed tickets more affordable through accessible fares, discounts, and appropriate subscription schemes. It also calls for greater transparency in pricing and supports the work on the Commission’s passenger package, which should make offers interoperable, visible and easily comparable.
The rapporteur, Vicent Marzà Ibáñez (Greens/EFA), explained that “a high-speed rail connection between Europe’s main cities will enable a massive shift in travel from airplanes to trains for passengers. This is a key element in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels, creating decent jobs, and significantly increasing our strategic autonomy.” To this end, he added, adequate investment is needed across the EU, including through the issuance of green bonds for the rail sector, “which must not come to the detriment of the commuter and regional rail services used by people in their daily lives.”
In November 2025, the Commission adopted an action plan for high-speed rail, setting out the measures needed to create a faster, interoperable and better-connected European network by 2040. Since 2014, EU programmes have allocated over 100 billion euros to rail infrastructure projects.
English version by the Translation Service of Withub
