01-07-2025
Europeans would swap planes for trains… if they could
EU citizens believe continental transport links are inadequate and support greater investment in high-speed rail, according to a new survey suggesting most would opt for train travel over flying – if the option existed.
Nine out of ten EU citizens are dissatisfied with current transport connections between the bloc's countries, according to a poll of over 5,000 people, commissioned from market research firm Polling Europe by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER).
As cross-border rail travel remains fragmented – due in part to a lack of political will and coordination among member states – the findings highlight a strong public appetite for faster, more accessible train services across the continent.
'These new poll results confirm citizens' climate concerns and show that they are ready to make the necessary changes to their travel habits if they are given the opportunity," CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola told Euractiv.
The survey found that most EU citizens would prefer taking a high-speed train rather than flying for short- to medium-distance journeys, if reliable options were available. A striking 79% of respondents support increased EU investment in high-speed rail.
"With a developed network, high-speed rail has the potential to carry over half of all long-distance travellers within Europe by 2070," Mazzola said.
EU Transport Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas is expected to unveil a new high-speed rail action plan in the coming months, aimed at connecting all EU capitals and major urban centres.
While the current Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) regulation calls for long-distance passenger trains to travel at speeds of at least 160 km/h, the upcoming proposal will urge governments to go further – targeting speeds above 250 km/h. The plan is also expected to address key technical barriers and missing links that continue to hinder the development of international high-speed routes.
(rh, aw)
