Boosting the development of high-speed rail in Europe 

With 34 votes in favour, none against and seven abstentions, the Transport and Tourism Committee (TRAN) adopted on Monday evening its recommendations to accelerate the roll-out of Europe’s high-speed network, following the Commission’s action plan presented last year. High-speed rail constitutes a strategic asset for the EU's objectives for competitiveness, territorial cohesion, modal shift, climate neutrality and strategic autonomy, MEPs say.

Better connecting cities and regions

MEPs call for a 'network-first' approach which integrates high-speed infrastructure planning with regional and urban mobility networks, local public transport, active mobility, and major multimodal transport hubs. They insist that the network should not only connect EU capitals, but also major urban nodes across all European regions and key neighbouring countries, either through direct high-speed rail services or effective connections to the high-speed rail network. The development would thus contribute to reducing territorial disparities and strengthening the connectivity of peripheral and less-developed regions, MEPs add.

The report advocates for the completion of the trans-European network for transport (TEN-T) and the identification of missing links abandoned or underserved sections or cross-border connections with high added value.

Adequate and dedicated funding

MEPs want to maximise the use of existing and future EU funds for development of the high-speed rail network. They want the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework to ensure adequate and dedicated funding for the sector, including through preserving and strengthening the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and continuing to support investments that promote economic, social and territorial cohesion through the National and Regional Partnership Plans (NRPP).

Affordability and transparency of rail ticketing

The adopted text encourages countries and railway operators to make high-speed train tickets more affordable including through accessible fares and appropriate reduced fare or subscription schemes, since lower, more predictable fares can boost ridership and support modal shift. It also calls for greater transparency in ticket pricing and welcomes the ongoing legislative work on the Passenger Package, which should contribute to the development of a transparent and interoperable European ticketing ecosystem.

Next steps

The non-binding resolution now needs to be voted by Parliament as a whole, during the second October session.

Background

In November 2025, the Commission adopted the High-Speed Rail Action Plan setting out the steps needed to create a faster, more interoperable and better-connected European network by 2040. More than €100 billion from EU programmes have been allocated to rail infrastructure projects since 2014.