Connecting Europe at High-Speed: Cities and Railways unite for a European high-speed rail network

Connecting Europe at High-Speed: Cities and Railways unite for a European high-speed rail network

Eurocities and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) together hosted the high-level event "Connecting Europe at High-Speed", under the patronage of European Parliament Vice-President Antonella Sberna (ECR), and in cooperation with Vice-Presidents Ewa Kopacz (EPP), Pina Picierno (S&D), and Nicolae Ștefănuță (Greens/EFA). The event brought together Members of the European Parliament, European Commission officials, mayors, and railway executives to discuss how to deliver a truly European high-speed rail network connecting cities and regions across the continent.

The European Commission, on 5 November, unveiled its master plan for a pan-European high-speed rail (HSR) network. At the event, CER and Eurocities welcomed the ambitious initiative with a joint declaration of support presented to the European Parliament Vice-Presidents and the European Commission, outlining the organisations' shared recommendations for accelerating the deployment of high-speed rail as a cornerstone of Europe's sustainable mobility future. With a joined-up HSR network, modern and comfortable high-speed trains have the potential to attract over half of long-distance travellers in the future.

The CER-Eurocities Joint Declaration praises the EU's commitment to tripling high-speed rail traffic by 2050 and highlights the transformative potential of HSR to drive sustainable growth, cohesion, and climate progress. It calls for:

• A viable and coherent European HSR network, completing the corridors identified in the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) and connecting all EU capitals and major cities.
• Long-term, sustainable funding, combining EU, national, and private investment to meet the estimated €546 billion needed by 2050.
• Seamless and passenger-friendly ticketing, integrating long-distance and local mobility.
• A level playing field with other transport modes, through fair taxation and monitoring of cross-border connectivity.

Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Transport and Sustainable Tourism, Vincenzo Matano, Head of Cabinet of Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms Raffaele Fitto, and Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport, were present from the European Commission to highlight the key aspects of the new HSR action plan. Speakers exchanged insights on how to make Europe's ambitions a reality, debating the operational and financing aspects of delivering the European high-speed rail network - from planning and securing predictable and sustainable funding mechanisms to construction.

Cities were represented by Hanna Zdanowska, Mayor of Łódź, Member of the European Committee of the Regions, and Dávid Vitézy, Chair of the Committee for Transport, Climate Action and Urban Development, Budapest City Assembly. Luigi Corradi, CEO of FS International, and Marco Kampp, Director for international long-distance passenger transport at DB Fernverkehr and Alberto Mazzola, CER Executive Director, spoke on behalf of railways. André Rodenbeck, CEO Rolling Stock, Siemens Mobility, and Gustavo Martínez, Commercial Director at Ferrovial Construction and EIC President, rounded out the panel discussion, moderated by Thomas Lymes, Policy Director at Eurocities.

Enrico Letta, President of the Jacques Delors Institute and an early high-speed rail supporter in his report 'Much more than a Market', called on all to now fight and push for the successful implementation of the new framework to finally connect the different corners of the EU by high-speed rail. Several Members of the European Parliament also shared their views, including Massimiliano Salini, Dariusz Jonski, Carlo Ciccioli and Arash Saeidi.

The discussion highlighted the need for coordinated action between EU institutions, Member States, financing institutions, train builders, railway constructors, cities, and rail companies to accelerate project delivery, ensure harmonisation, and maintain affordability for passengers. Speakers also underlined the importance of integrating high-speed services and local mobility systems within urban nodes to create truly seamless, door-to-door connections. By aligning investment, innovation, and governance, participants agreed that Europe's cities must remain at the core of the HSR transformation, serving as both gateways and beneficiaries of enhanced European connectivity.

Without a strong foundation of support, even the best of plans can falter. This is why the CER-Eurocities Declaration is now open to the individual signature of rail CEOs and city mayors across Europe. Many have already provided their early endorsement, including, among others, CER Chair and CEO of Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) Andreas Matthä, and incoming CER Chair and CEO of Polish State Railways (PKP) Alan Beroud, as well as mayors and deputy mayors from Łódź, Budapest, Amsterdam, The Hague, Mannheim, Brescia, and Netwerkstad Twente.

Additional signatures will be gathered till the end of the year.

CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said: "High-speed rail is not only about faster travel - it is about a more connected, competitive, and sustainable Europe. By linking cities and regions through a coherent European network, we bring people closer to opportunities, give a strong boost to the European economy and contribute to energy independence. To make this vision a reality, Europe needs stable long-term investment, fair competition with other modes, and rolling stock compatibility through widespread deployment of harmonised technical enablers such as the European Rail Traffic Management System."

Eurocities Secretary General André Sobczak said: "Europe needs a fast, high-quality rail network that connects every major city and urban centre. Rail is essential for achieving climate neutrality, economic growth and territorial cohesion. Cities are ready to play their part, integrating long-distance rail into local mobility systems and shaping the multimodal hubs of the future. We call on EU institutions to prioritise investment, fair competition and city involvement to make rail a defining force of Europe's green transition."

The CER-Eurocities Declaration on Connecting Europe at High Speed and current signatory list is accessible here.

More quotes are available in the full press release, which can be downloaded below.