European Parliament adopts report to expand high-speed rail network

European Parliament high-speed rail TEN-T transport infrastructure European Union

The European Parliament has adopted a report calling for the accelerated development of a high-speed rail network across the European Union. The proposal aims to connect not only major capitals but also significant regional urban hubs and key neighboring countries by 2040. The initiative seeks to create an interoperable and innovative network that reduces travel times, improves territorial cohesion, and provides affordable alternatives to short-haul flights and car travel.

The report, which passed with 558 votes in favor, 23 against, and 73 abstentions, urges member states to identify missing links and under-served cross-border connections. It also calls for the use of existing and future EU funds, including the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), to support these developments within the 2028–2034 multiannual financial framework.

In Romania, the push for rail modernization is highlighted by the first commercial train running with ETCS Level 2 signaling on the Buftea–Brazi section. Additionally, Romanian officials noted that the country has already conducted route studies toward Budapest and Sofia, with goals to complete high-speed connections such as Bucharest to Budapest by 2040.

Entities

Apostolos Tzitzikostas · European Commission · European Parliament · European Union · Gheorghe Falcă · Romania · Vincent Marza Ibanez

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] The report was adopted with 558 votes in favor, 23 against, and 73 abstentions. prigorski.hr · www.glasistre.hr · www.cmjornal.pt · www.galiciapress.es · europske.noviny.sk · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] High-speed rail traffic increased by only 13 percent between 2015 and 2023. prigorski.hr · www.glasistre.hr · www.index.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] Romania has already conducted route studies toward Budapest and Sofia. www.g4media.ro · 60m.ro
[● 3 SOURCES] Currently, 12,000 kilometers of high-speed rail are concentrated in Spain, France, Italy, and Germany. prigorski.hr · www.glasistre.hr · www.index.hr
[● 4 SOURCES] Vincent Marza Ibanez stated that high-speed rail connectivity will enable a mass shift from planes to trains. prigorski.hr · www.glasistre.hr · www.galiciapress.es · www.index.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] Greece, Bulgaria, and Romania signed a partnership agreement to conduct studies and build three new bridges over the Danube. www.g4media.ro · 60m.ro
[● 11 SOURCES] The European Parliament adopted a report calling for the establishment of a European high-speed rail network. prigorski.hr · www.g4media.ro · www.glasistre.hr · www.cmjornal.pt · www.galiciapress.es · +6 more
[● 2 SOURCES] Gheorghe Falcă stated that high-speed rail connections, such as Bucharest to Budapest, should be completed by 2040. www.g4media.ro · 60m.ro
[● 4 SOURCES] The network should connect regional urban hubs and key neighboring countries, not just capitals. europske.noviny.sk · faktum.at · racin.mk · forsal.pl
[● 2 SOURCES] The first commercial train in Romania using ETCS Level 2 operated on the Buftea–Brazi section. cfir.ro · www.mediafax.ro
[● 2 SOURCES] The high-speed rail network development goal is to be realized by 2040. 60m.ro · racin.mk
[● 2 SOURCES] The plan calls for the use of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and national investment plans for funding. europske.noviny.sk · racin.mk