Health crisis benefits European rail links

An attractive alternative over distances that have hitherto been considered unattractive by travellers, particularly business travellers. This is the commitment signed by the 3 June last 25 countries of theEuropean Union - but also Norway and Switzerland - to encourage the development of high-speed international lines on the continent, and finally to coordinating tariff offers. The 25 signatories draw on the growing environmental awareness in Europe, which is reflected in a relative disaffection with short-haul airlines, but also in the growing acceptance among travellers of taking the train for longer journeys. Indeed, many governments are also encouraging travellers to rethink the way they travel. EU transport ministers believe that there is a real opportunity for international services on longer routes. routes ranging from 300 to 800 km.

This trend is already being followed by a number of countries that have introduced dissuasive taxes on domestic routes, as is the case in Scandinavia and now Austria (see box). In France, the government has made its financial assistance to Air France to the elimination of domestic lines when the train offers a less than three-hour alternative.

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The 25 European countries have agreed to draw up a " programme for international rail passenger transport "using existing tools and integrating these services into the New Deal "Green Deal that the European Union is putting in place. This pact steers the continent towards sustainable growth, with a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.

An effort that would put international rail transport on a par with national networks and would also promote the return of night trains. In a study published by Denmark, the authorities hope that the the majority of European journeys of up to 1,200 km will be made by train by 2030. Swedish Railways has also published a report envisaging the introduction of high-speed night trains linking Stockholm to Hamburg, Brussels and Cologne via Denmark. Connections would enable Cologne or Brussels to reach Paris.

A schedule of the next stages of development over the next twelve months will be presented on 19 June in Brussels. Other priorities include the creation of a system for purchasing tickets for international travel involving several operators. These should be processed using digital solutions via a Skyscanner-style online platform. This acceleration of the timetable comes at a time when the train offers a less restrictive transport alternative in a post-COVID world. In fact, the European Union has declared 2021 "European Year of Rail. " There is no doubt that rail transport offers considerable advantages in most areas: sustainability, safety and even speed, as long as it is organised and designed according to 21st century principles. "As Adina Vălean, European Commissioner for Transport, pointed out when announcing 2021, the Year of the Railways.

This date has been chosen at a time when the railways are celebrating a number of events, from the 40th anniversary of the TGV in France the first year of total deregulation of rail transport in Europe, or the commemoration of 175 years of the Europe's first international railway linelinking Brussels to Paris.