The European Commission announced on 31 January 2023 that it will support 10 pilot projects to set up new or improve existing rail services. Together they will improve cross-border rail services in the EU, making them faster, more frequent and more affordable.

EU Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: “While demand for green mobility is growing, the rail market needs to respond much better and faster, especially for long and cross-border journeys. That is why the European Commission now wants to help rail companies create new international train connections – by day and by night – by removing the many barriers to cross-border rail travel. I look forward to working with the rail sector to make these 10 pilot projects a success and inspire many more to join!”

The following projects were selected on the ‘Main Line for Europe’:

Hungarian Ministry of Transport, new connections between Hungary, Austria and Western Romania;
Flixtrain, new connection Munich – Zurich;
WESTbahn, new connection Munich – Vienna – Budapest, extension of the existing connection;
The proposals were submitted by the railway sector and the competent authorities in response to the Commission’s Action Plan for the promotion of long-distance rail passenger services and international passenger services, adopted in December 2021. The action plan identified obstacles to the introduction and operation of international rail passenger services and measures to remove them. One of these measures is the pilot services announced today to help rail operators and authorities, with the support of the Commission, to remove remaining obstacles in practice. The Commission will now invite those behind the 10 selected proposals to launch their projects.

Source: European Commission