Railways
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 signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a high-speed railway linking six ports, largely …
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.
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.