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European countries want to build a better train network. During the German council presidency 2020 the Trans-Europ-Express 2.0. was decided. This project includes a better train connection between the metropolises and investments in the rail infrastructure. Yet the plans are becoming more concrete.

First, four nightjet-lines should combine thirteen million metropolises. From December 2021 the two lines Vienna-Munich-Paris and Zurich-Cologne-Amsterdam come on stream. Then, in 2022, the nightline Zurich-Milan-Rome line will start. In 2023 the Berlin-Paris and Berlin-Brussels lines will be added and in 2024 Zurich-Barcelona line will be brought in line. For the long term, there are a lot further nightlines in planning.

In addition, a European express train network is at the political agenda. For example, Amsterdam-Rome, Paris-warsaw and Berlin and Barcelona should be combined by high-speed trains. The goal is to use existing train tracks and repose them for new European train routes. Each of these connections will take less than thirteen hours.

Also, in the middle of the 2030s an express train will combine Berlin-Prague-Vienna. A new train line is being built for this purpose, which included a tunnel in the ore mountains. The route Berlin-Vienna will last only five hours. The new route also includes a nightline connection.

There are also further plans for a better inner European train connection. Finland and Estonia have signed an agreement, which commit them to a better cooperation in the traffic area. This included a train tunnel between Helsinki and Tallinn. The cities are only 80 km apart and through the better infrastructure they should become a twin-city. That means, a generally better connection and especially a support freight transport between these cities. In addition, Helsinki will become final station of Rail Baltica.

A better train network might help, to protect the environment. People could take the train instead of the airplane. You can get more information about measures taken in Europe for a modern mobility at our homepage: https://www.eutrafficlaw.com/topics/what-s-new-in-europe/

Picture: Pixabay/antgarprats