European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apóstolos Tzitzikóstas hosted the implementation dialogue on high-speed rail on Tuesday 15 April. He focused on improving the EU’s rail connectivity.
“High-speed rail is the key to a connected, competitive and climate-friendly Europe. This dialogue brings us one step closer to making this a reality”, commented the commissioner in a press release.
The meeting, held in Brussels, brought together Europe’s leading industry executives, social partners and stakeholders. During the dialogue, they discussed the timeliness of implementing infrastructure projects and passenger services, such as barriers to booking and ticket sales (see EUROPE 13557/10). In particular, they discussed actions to be taken to coordinate the planning, financing and implementation of the interoperable European infrastructure network, as well as financing models.
They also discussed ways of ensuring the sector’s competitiveness. The trans-European high-speed rail network remains fragmented along national borders.
The discussion will feed into the European Commission’s work on the next action plan for high-speed rail. (Original version in French by Anne Damiani)