Investing in a European Pool of Rolling Stock
Cross-border trains are no longer the set of wagons pulled by an engine, but a complex and integrated system that cannot be changed at the frontier. Given higher costs and more sophisticated technology, the pool of international trains must increase via strategic investments, preferential loans, and even the creation of a European stock pool.
Integrated Train Ticketing for Consumers’ Rights
The utter impossibility to book a rail ticket across Europe at a one-stop-shop online impedes European consumers’ rights. This is a significant issue for rail passengers that can be sorted out via a dedicated EU Regulation to comprise transparency of data of all EU operators and guarantees for the passengers’ consumer rights. A rail ticketing regulation at EU level imposes itself.
Night Trains to Replace Air Travel
Night trains do not presuppose massive infrastructure investments as they can use the existing infrastructures and do not need high-speed infrastructure. Yet, they are the comfortable alternative to flying on distances up to 2000 km, with a significant decrease in emissions.
An EU Budget Back on the Rails
Development of railways altogether cannot be fostered without significant co-financing from the EU and with an integrated approach based geographically on the core corridors within TEN-T.
