Policy

which projects? In graphs: Europe scrambles to get rail military mobility in order after Russia’s war

Geopolitical necessity, spurred by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine, has fast-tracked the allocation of the military mobility budget by the EU. By front-loading the budget and speeding up…
large-scale project Messina Strait bridge connecting Sicily to Italian mainland rejected: ‘heavy blow’

Italy’s giant infrastructure project to build a rail and road bridge between Sicily and the Italian mainland is facing a major hurdle. The Italian Court of Auditors has…
'EU: take action' Booking hassle deters 61% of long-distance rail travellers, new EU poll finds

Almost two-thirds of long-distance rail travellers in Europe have avoided booking train tickets due to the complexity of the process, according to a new YouGov poll commissioned by…
no holds barred... ‘Catastrophic governance’: Ex-Bane Nor CEO says ministry control made leadership ‘impossible’

Six months after stepping down as CEO of Bane Nor, Thor Gjermund Eriksen has delivered a sharp critique of the Ministry of Transport’s control over Norway’s state-backed rail…
600 million euros needed ‘Time to act’: the Netherlands urged to invest in rail for military mobility

Europe is weathering a geopolitical storm. That means that rail has suddenly become a key topic in questions of defence. NATO countries are expected to have their infrastructure…
too many delays Deutsche Bahn halts ICE price hikes for first time in six years

For the first time in six years, Deutsche Bahn will not increase the price of long-distance train tickets with the upcoming timetable change on December 14. The decision,…
Farandou goes governmental SNCF chief joins fragile French government to lead pension reform talks

France’s long-serving SNCF chief Jean-Pierre Farandou has joined Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s new government as Labour Minister. The rail veteran’s appointment comes amid political deadlock, where he is…
renationalisation Greater Anglia goes to Great British Railways

Britain’s passenger railways are being nationalised, one operator at a time. So, just like that, on a bright, sunny, Autumnal Sunday, a wide swathe of England has been…
'tangible improvements' Rail sector calls for more CEF ‘firepower’ ahead of EU budget talks

Ten of Europe’s leading rail associations have issued a joint call for a stronger Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) as the EU gears up for negotiations on the bloc’s…