ALLRAIL welcomes yesterday’s announcement of the European Commission’s High-Speed Rail Plan — an important step towards a more connected rail system that all parts of society can afford. The plan rightly recognises that the success of Europe’s high-speed network depends on it being open, interoperable and competitive, so that every European can benefit.
Many of the priorities outlined in ALLRAIL’s own Position Paper are now reflected in the Commission’s blueprint — from transparent rolling-stock access and genuine market openness, to better ticketing and improved infrastructure governance that will allow new entrants to compete on fair terms.
Ambition & timelines
The Commission’s ambition to cut journey times and complete a full EU high-speed network by 2040, combined with binding investment timelines, stronger coordination and a harmonised TEN-T approach, sends a clear signal to Member States: Europe’s high-speed future must be open to all operators.
Fair rolling-stock access
ALLRAIL particularly welcomes the Commission’s commitment to ban anti-competitive scrapping and to establish fair, transparent resale conditions for rolling stock. These reforms will finally open up access to trains for new entrants, unlocking innovation, affordability and dynamism across Europe’s rail market.
Interoperability & safety
The reinforced roles of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking in harmonising authorisations and promoting interoperable train design are equally essential for delivering a true Single European Railway Area.
Ticketing that works for passengers
The forthcoming Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation (SDBTR), expected in 2026, would complement this plan by ensuring that all operators’ services are visible and bookable on equal terms.
“Europe’s high-speed vision will only succeed if markets are open and all parts of society can afford to use the trains. Evidence shows this will only come from faster market opening (lower fares, more frequencies, better service). These are the real engines of a lasting modal shift to rail. High-speed rail must be for everyone, not for the few.”
Media enquiries: info@allrail.eu