Railways
First truck completes Europe-China delivery in 12 days
The first overland delivery of European goods bound for China arrived safe and sound last week, in a good omen for Europe's hopes of making the East Asian superpower's ambitious Belt and Road initiative a two-way street.
Italy’s 5-Star tries to undermine tunnel to France
Italy’s transport ministry insisted on Tuesday (12 February) that a planned railway tunnel underneath the Alps to France would be a waste of money, in what could ratchet up tensions between Rome and Paris.
Visegrad express railway project unveiled
Four Central European countries announced Monday (1 October) a plan to build a high-speed rail link between Budapest and Warsaw, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
Italy calls into question costly Lyon-Turin rail link
Italy's new infrastructure minister denounced on Tuesday (24 July) an ambitious, transalpine rail link as an enormous waste of public money and said he wanted to re-negotiate the project with neighbouring France.
EU’s high-speed rail plan is ineffective, unrealistic, say Auditors
The EU’s long-term plan for a high-speed rail network is unlikely to be achieved and there is no solid EU-wide strategic approach, according to a highly critical report by the European Court of Auditors released on Tuesday (26 June).
The Channel Tunnel: What economic value to European trade?
The Channel Tunnel provides a fast, frequent and reliable route accounting for €138 bn of trade and 21 million passengers each year. It has changed the way transport and logistics operate across the continent.
Eighteen-year-olds must pass quiz on European culture to receive free travel tickets
Eighteen-year-olds will need to pass a six-question quiz about European history and culture to receive free Interrail train or plane tickets, as part of a €700 million project that’s set to start next month.
‘Free Interrail for all young Europeans’ campaign gathers pace
The growing #FreeInterrail campaign calls for an EU program granting a free Interrail pass to all young Europeans. It's a widely supported idea that could to a certain extent be taken up by the EU. EURACTIV’s partner Ouest-France reports. VideoPromoted content
CER presents today’s digital railways
Digitalisation is one of the top priorities for the rail sector and its future. To show how railways are making the most of the opportunities offered by digital transformation, the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) organised a #Rail4Digital event in Brussels on 20 March 2018.
Riding the train from Beijing to Vienna (in 2033)
The idea of travelling by train from Beijing via Moscow to the Austrian capital has long been an unlikely far-flung dream. But in 15 years, the Trans-Siberian railway could indeed reach the gates of Vienna. EURACTIV Germany reports from Vienna.
‘Don’t forget rail’ in Brexit talks, urge UK industry leaders
The European rail network ferries millions of us to and from work every day. Yet rail representatives felt compelled to plead 'don't forget rail' in Brussels this week, saying it was at the bottom of all priority lists despite growing concerns over the expected impact of Brexit.
What will Brexit mean for Europe’s railways? Exploring ‘EU27’ perspectives
Until Brexit negotiations between the UK and EU conclude, all industry sectors, including rail, face uncertainty about future relations.
China strengthens grip on Central Europe and Balkans at Budapest summit
A 16+1 summit of the Central and Eastern European Countries and China took place yesterday (27 November) in Budapest, hosted by the Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orbán. His Bulgarian colleague Boyko Borissov announced that next years’ summit will take place in Sofia.
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey launch ‘Silk Road’ rail link
The leaders of Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia launched an 826-km rail link connecting the three countries on 30 October, establishing a freight and passenger link between Europe and China that bypasses Russia.
Green MEP: ‘I pledge for a bold approach to e-mobility’
The Greens will support electrification in cities as long as it is not limited to cars but also extended to other means of transport, Greens MEP Cramer said in an interview with EURACTIV Greece.
EU auditors warn of slow deployment of rail management system
The deployment of an EU-wide railway signalling system, a key part of the bloc's efforts to help smooth cross-border rail traffic within the Union, has been very slow as there have been no binding deadlines and stakeholders have been reluctant to invest, a report released by the European Court of Auditors on Tuesday (3 October) revealed.
Alstom, Siemens merge to create new European rail champion
The maker of France's TGV trains announced Tuesday (26 September) a "merger of equals" with German industrial leader Siemens in a giant and politically tricky deal to create a new European rail champion.
Commission hails Greek-Bulgarian railway project as ‘positive development’
The European Commission is satisfied with the recent cooperation between Greece and Bulgaria on a regional railway project and is ready to look into possible financial support, an EU spokesperson told EURACTIV. Earlier this month (6 September) Greece and Bulgaria...
Løkkegaard: Amended Accessibility Act should pass in Parliament
The European Accessibility Act – a landmark piece of legislation for Europe's 80 million people with disabilities – goes to the European Parliament's for a plenary vote on Wednesday (13 September) after lengthy and sometimes heated debates.
Transport disruptions loom as UK, EU face Brexit ‘cliff edge’
Unless Brexit negotiators reach a transitional deal by September next year, both the UK and the EU face a "cliff edge" scenario with serious disruptions in air, railway and maritime traffic, industry sources have told EURACTIV.com.
Greece and Bulgaria sign ‘Sea2Sea’ project, hoping for EU funding
Sofia and Athens signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday (6 September) for the construction of a high-speed railway, hoping to attract foreign investment and establish strong links in a region historically known for divisions and antagonism between neighbours.
Kazakh minister: Two ‘revolutionary’ stories are happening in Central Asia
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Roman Vassilenko, sheds light on important new developments in Central Asia, little known in the EU, and on the role of his country in major international issues.
France and Italy seek operator to manage trans-Alpine line
Italy and France are dusting off plans for a rolling highway that only carries 2% of trucks through the Alps. EURACTIV's partner Journal de l'Environnement reports.