Railways
EU pledges funds for new Balkan railway, transport projects
This week's summit of the six Western Balkans EU hopefuls and EU leaders fell somewhat short of political expectations but produced concrete results in financing regional transport projects, most notably a railway link between the capitals of Macedonia and Bulgaria.
21st century public transport: People with disabilities face discrimination
The European Accessibility Act, the proposed law that would make products and services in the EU more accessible for persons with disabilities, is a unique opportunity for Europe, writes Catherine Naughton.
Freight train begins first journey from UK to China
The first freight train to run from the United Kingdom to China departed yesterday (10 April), carrying goods like vitamins, baby products and pharmaceuticals as Britain seeks to burnish its global trading credentials for when it leaves the European Union.
Translation gaffe costs Spanish rail company EU court case
A Spanish rail company has failed in its appeal against a decision of the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) related to its logo because it failed to lodge its initial application in English. EURACTIV Spain reports.
The end of multimodal transport?
As the EU moves into the era of "smart mobility", Dan Wolff wonders whatever happened to the idea of multimodal transport. Just because road freight innovates faster than other transport modes doesn't mean policymakers should give up on multimodality, he argues.
Full electro-mobility will be the next giant leap for Europe
We are on the cusp of the age of electro-mobility. Now we need concerted action from policymakers to ensure it really does become a reality, writes Nicolas Erb.
Parliament’s free Interrail plan replaced by smaller €2.5 million travel fund for teenagers
MEPs are annoyed that a European Commission proposal to hand out €2.5 million to fund young students' travel around Europe will only receive a fraction of the budget they wanted.
One year after the Brussels attacks, the city remembers those lost
Wednesday (22 March) marks the first anniversary of the Brussels attacks, which took over 30 lives and injured many more, shocking the capital of the European Union
Belgian government ‘must do more’ to support Brussels bombings victims
One year ago, in a cold basement of Astrid Hospital, Anne Cameron Cain frantically searched for news of her husband. Along with dozens of other families, the Cains were not prepared for the tragic events of that day, which took the lives of both Anne's husband Alexander Pinczowski and her sister-in-law Sascha Pinczowski.
German railways on track for Brexit boost
German railway company Deutsche Bahn remains interested in setting up a Frankfurt-London route. The UK’s Brexit vote and potential relocation of financial services to mainland Europe means demand could skyrocket.
Hamon and Jadot call for end to Lyon-Turin rail project
A ban on endocrine disruptors, the end of nuclear power and the suspension of the Lyon-Turin high-speed train line: this is Yannick Jadot’s price for supporting Socialist candidate for the French presidency Benoît Hamon. Euractiv France reports.
Baltic PMs sign deal to build high-speed rail link
Baltic state leaders inked a deal on Tuesday (31 January) to build a high-speed rail link to Berlin and Western Europe that has taken on added significance due to concerns over a resurgent Russia.
Festive EU gives approval to member state projects
The European Commission was in a giving mood just in time for Christmas today (19 December) as it greenlit a number of member state projects.
Spain’s high-speed rail link breaches EU bird law
The European Court of Justice has ruled that Spain breached European directives on birds and habitats conservation in building a high-speed train link between Seville and Almería. EURACTIV Spain reports.
EU ‘ready to explore’ free InterRail tickets for European teenagers
The European Commission is considering handing out free InterRail tickets to all young Europeans when they turn 18, following up on a proposal made by Members of the European Parliament to counter the wave of euroscepticism spreading across the continent.
EU’s decarbonisation plans scrutinised by divided transport industry
EU Transport Commissioner Violeta Bulc has to make good on a few promises she made before the summer break.
Pressure mounts on truck makers, as Commission announces emissions regulation
The European Commission promised sweeping changes to its regulation of car and truck pollution in an effort to slash carbon emission levels by 2030.
Passenger rights: Equal treatment for all?
All European passengers —whether travelling by air, rail bus or boat— are entitled to compensation when their trips are cancelled or delayed. EU policymakers are now considering further measures to ensure equal treatment for travellers and fairer competition between transport modes.
Passenger rights: Playing by the rules harms railways
Passenger rights in Europe need to improve in order for railways to compete in inter-modal transport and deliver on the EU’s decarbonisation strategy, writes Oliver Wolff.
Swiss declare Alps tamed as Gotthard rail tunnel opens
Switzerland opens the world's longest and deepest rail tunnel through the heart of the Alps today (1 June) in an engineering marvel that stands as a symbol of European unity at a time of increasing fragmentation.
Auditors slam Commission for inefficient railway funding
A new report from the European Court of Auditors says €28 billion in EU funds didn't do enough to boost the share of freight shipped on railways—instead, that figure dropped despite beefed up investments.
Divisive rail rules held up by UK, Germany, France and Greece
EU member states are still squabbling over draft rules that will open up railway markets to competition, even after negotiators struck a deal last week on the long debated file.
EU authorities to discuss ‘Moscow model’ to protect airports
National experts will consider lessons learnt from terrorist attacks in Moscow and in Madrid in a meeting on 11 April to improve security at the airports and mass public transportation systems in the aftermath of the Brussels attacks, EU officials told Euractiv.com.
Commission slams member states for watering down rail rules
The new head of the European Commission's transport section (DG MOVE) had harsh words yesterday (15 March) for new rules to open up Europe's “static” rail sector, which he said have been butchered in negotiations with the European Parliament and Council.