The European Commission has announced a new package of transport initiatives aimed at improving the competitiveness and sustainability of the European Union’s transport system. The measures, adopted today, focus on expanding high-speed rail networks and increasing investment in renewable and low-carbon fuels for aviation and waterborne sectors.
The High-Speed Rail Action Plan outlines steps to create a faster and more connected rail network across Europe by 2040. The plan aims to reduce travel times between major cities, making rail a more attractive alternative to short-haul flights. For example, journey times from Berlin to Copenhagen are expected to drop from seven hours to four, while trips from Sofia to Athens could be cut from nearly 14 hours to six.
To achieve these goals, the Commission proposes removing cross-border bottlenecks by setting binding timelines by 2027 and exploring higher speeds where economically viable. Other actions include developing a coordinated financing strategy with Member States and industry stakeholders, improving conditions for investment in the rail sector, enhancing cross-border ticketing systems, supporting second-hand markets for rolling stock, deploying digital management systems across the EU network, and fostering research on scalable solutions.
The plan is also designed to ease congestion on conventional lines—helping night trains, freight services, and military mobility—and support tourism and industrial competitiveness throughout Europe.
In addition to rail improvements, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP) seeks to increase investments in renewable fuels needed for aviation and shipping. Meeting targets set under RefuelEU Aviation and FuelEU Maritime will require about 20 million tonnes of sustainable fuels by 2035—an effort that could need approximately €100 billion in total investment.
The STIP includes plans for at least €2 billion in funding for alternative fuels via InvestEU; €300 million through the European Hydrogen Bank specifically for hydrogen-based aviation and shipping fuels; €446 million allocated under the Innovation Fund for synthetic fuel projects; and €133.5 million directed towards fuel-related research through Horizon Europe. By 2027, these measures aim to mobilize at least €2.9 billion using EU instruments.
An additional pilot project called eSAF Early Movers Coalition is expected by late 2025 with an objective of raising at least €500 million specifically for synthetic aviation fuel projects. The Commission will also develop market mechanisms connecting producers with buyers of sustainable fuels—aimed at providing revenue certainty while lowering investment risks—and will work internationally so imported fuels meet EU sustainability standards without disadvantaging domestic producers or users.
According to the Commission’s announcement: “Competitiveness and sustainability are the guiding principles of this package, which aims to make the EU transport system more efficient, interconnected, accessible, clean and resilient.”
Further details can be found on official communications such as the news item regarding high-speed rail as well as the announcement of the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan. More information about both initiatives is available on dedicated webpages provided by the European Commission.
###
