Expansion of the railway network in Europe.
Expansion of the railway network in Europe.
Our work.
What we do.
Setting the course for the future:
our key areas of work and demands
As a driving force and pacemaker for the expansion of rail infrastructure along the Main Line for Europe, we develop strategies and recommendations for action for decision-makers in politics, administration and business. Our goal is to make the trans-European rail link from Paris to Budapest an efficient, climate-friendly and sustainable transport axis.
With a holistic view of the individual projects along the axis and an awareness of current and future mobility and climate challenges, we are committed to concrete improvements – from cross-border infrastructure to better networking of regional mobility services.
Find out more here about our key areas of work and the political demands with which we are promoting the vision of a strong European rail axis.
Our main areas of focus
Four pillars for a strong European rail infrastructure
Our areas of focus form the foundation for an efficient, sustainable and interconnected rail infrastructure in Europe. With a focus on infrastructure, operations, mobility and integration, we work together with our members to comprehensively strengthen the development axis from Paris to Budapest/Bratislava.
Four pillars for a strong European rail infrastructure
These four areas form the strategic core of our work for a connected and efficient rail infrastructure along the ‘Magistrale for Europe’.
Promoting infrastructure expansion
We are committed to the targeted expansion of rail infrastructure along the Paris–Budapest/Bratislava development axis.
Improve operational processes
We optimise timing, connections and links so that infrastructure can be used efficiently and people can reach their destinations faster.
Promote sustainable rail mobility
For climate-friendly, trans-European rail transport, we are strengthening environmentally-oriented mobility concepts and the European Green Deal.
Deepening European integration
We promote exchange between regions, institutions and countries, thereby strengthening European cooperation along the Magistrale for Europe.
Promoting infrastructure expansion
We are passionately committed to expanding a modern European rail infrastructure, strengthening the hubs along the development axis from Paris to Budapest and Bratislava, and thus creating the basis for a sustainable, efficient connection that brings people, regions and ideas together.
Measures for infrastructure development
- Measures for infrastructure expansion
- Eliminate rail bottlenecks and secure infrastructure capacity
- Cross-administrative coordination of expansion planning
- Promote the expansion of multimodal terminals and the 740 m network
- Promote the expansion of barrier-free stations
- Introduction and implementation of ERTMS along the ‘Magistrale for Europe’ development axis
Improve operational processes
We are committed to improving operational processes so that people can make optimal use of the expanded rail infrastructure. The focus is on sustainable optimisation of timetables, improvement of long-distance connections and integration with regional transport, and implementation of integrated regular-interval timetables. The aim is to create a connected, efficient and user-friendly rail infrastructure that meets the needs of all transport users.
Operational measures
- Operational measures
- Implement the Germany-wide integrated timetable and increase long-distance train speeds
- Implement integrated timetables and enable seamless connections
- Optimise long-distance connections and their links to regional areas
- Improve connections between modes of transport at hubs and promote cross-modal ticketing
- Improve the integration of long-distance and local transport with feeder services
- Abandon the prioritisation of passenger transport in favour of a holistic approach and improve the conceptual coordination of freight and regional transport
Promote sustainable rail mobility
We are committed to fast, trans-European trains as an environmentally friendly and sustainable alternative to increasing car and air traffic. In this way, we are combining the mobility needs of today’s generation with our responsibility towards future generations.
Measures for environmentally sound development
- Measures for environmentally friendly further development
- Implementation of the European Green Deal along the ‘Magistrale for Europe’ development axis
- Actively promoting the shift of traffic from road to rail and making this transparent through open communication so that the importance of rail for achieving climate protection goals becomes visible
- Expansion of night train services between Paris and Budapest
- Improving accessibility to combined transport terminals
- Active exchange with scientific and civil society actors along the development axis, including on the topics of modal shift and environmentally friendly rail transport
Deepening European integration
We see our cooperation along the ‘Magistrale for Europe’ as an active contribution to deepening European integration. We are committed to broad-based cooperation that has a positive impact on the economic, ecological and social development of the regions along the axis.
Measures for European integration
- Measures for European integration
- Attracting new partners in Hungary and Slovakia and promoting exchange between countries
- Expanding activities and strengthening cooperation with the private sector. Promoting active information exchange between companies, administrations and political actors along the development axis
- Strengthening the visibility of the ‘Magistrale for Europe’ development axis by participating in events and trade fairs
- Linking the “Magistrale” offers with the ‘tourism marketing’ of municipal members and strengthening the Magistrale’s public relations work on site