Implementing the EU High-Speed Rail Master Plan

In December 2024, in her mission letter to Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, President von der Leyen encouraged drafting a plan for an ambitious European High-Speed Rail Network to help connect EU capitals, including with night trains, and to accelerate rail freight. In January 2025, the European Commission again emphasised the importance of this by including it among the Flagship Actions in Pillar 2 in its communication ‘A Competitiveness Compass for the EU.’ This master plan aims to strengthen the single transport market, promote a shift towards sustainable transport methods and expedite the development of trans-European infrastructure by leveraging digital tools, new technologies and innovation. In the EU railway network, high-speed railway (HSR) lines designed for a speed of 250 km/h or more facilitate seamless high-speed travel across the EU. This network has grown significantly over the past decade. Between 2013 and 2023, it expanded by 2744 km to 8556 km (+47.2%). In 2020, the Commission presented an EU Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy to guide the future of EU transport policy by setting milestones to show the path of the Union transport system towards achieving the objective of sustainable, smart and resilient mobility. Among these targets, it set that HSR passenger traffic must double by 2030 and triple by 2050. This is a significant change that will enable a modal shift and overall reduction in emissions. Rail transport is highly energy-efficient, consuming only 1.9% of transport energy. For rail transport to achieve these aims, it must become more attractive in terms of affordability, reliability and services that better meet the needs of travellers and freight shippers. The primary objective of the forum was to discuss the implementation of the EU High-Speed Rail Master Plan and to establish a framework for more efficient management of high-speed rail infrastructure capacity and investments. This improvement will enhance service quality and allow increased traffic on the railway network. Achieving this aim is crucial to ensuring that the transport sector significantly contributes to decarbonisation efforts. Developing a connected network of HSR across the EU by 2050 will position rail as the preferred mode of transport for long-distance journeys in Europe, leading to a substantial decrease in the market share of private motorised transport. The forum, which was co-organised by the Transport Area of the Florence School of Regulation in collaboration with the European Commission’s DG MOVE, focused on financing models for high-speed rail infrastructure in the EU and innovative financing solutions for the sector. This policy brief outlines the key points discussed in the forum.