EU approves new transport package – what it means for you

The European Commission has unveiled an ambitious transport package that promises faster train connections across Europe and cleaner fuels for planes and ships. While the plan sounds technical, it could soon make travel within the EU cheaper, quicker, and greener for ordinary citizens.

High-speed trains for faster, cheaper travel

By 2040, Europeans could be travelling between capitals at double the current speeds. The new High-Speed Rail Action Plan sets out the steps to build a truly connected, fast rail network linking major European cities.

That means shorter travel times and more affordable alternatives to short-distance flights.

• Berlin to Copenhagen could drop from seven hours to just four.
• Sofia to Athens may take only six hours instead of nearly fourteen.
• Passengers could soon travel easily between Paris and Lisbon via Madrid, or between the Baltic capitals on new cross-border lines.

The European Commission plans to:

• Remove border bottlenecks by 2027 and push for trains exceeding 250 km/h where viable.
• Invest billions of euros through an EU–industry “High-Speed Rail Deal” to fund new lines and technology.
• Simplify ticketing across countries, so passengers can book international train trips as easily as flights.
• Support night trains and cargo routes, freeing up conventional lines for local commuters.

For ordinary travellers, this could mean faster holidays, smoother business trips, and fewer domestic flights — all while cutting carbon emissions and road congestion.

As we wrote earlier, the long-awaited railway link to Budapest Airport and new terminal finally set to become reality

Clean fuels to make flying and shipping greener

The second major element, the Sustainable Transport Investment Plan (STIP), focuses on replacing fossil fuels in aviation and shipping. The EU wants to speed up production of renewable and low-carbon fuels, including biofuels, hydrogen-based fuels, and synthetic e-fuels.

To meet the EU’s 2035 targets:

• Around 20 million tonnes of clean fuels will be needed annually.
• This will require about €100 billion in investment — much of which will go into new facilities, innovation, and jobs.

Key measures include:

• €2 billion from InvestEU for sustainable fuels.
• €300 million from the European Hydrogen Bank for hydrogen-powered ships and aircraft.
• €446 million for innovation projects producing synthetic fuels.
• €133.5 million for research through Horizon Europe.

The Commission also plans to launch a “synthetic aviation fuel” pilot project by the end of 2025 to attract private investors. The goal is to make Europe less dependent on imported oil while supporting European industries and workers in the green transition.

Why it matters

For ordinary Europeans, these initiatives could soon mean:

• Cheaper and faster train travel across borders.
• Cleaner air thanks to greener planes and ships.
• New jobs in renewable energy and transport technology.
• Less dependence on fossil fuels from abroad.

By modernising railways and investing in sustainable fuels, the EU hopes to create a smarter, cleaner, and more resilient transport system — one that benefits citizens as much as it protects the climate.

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