EU Set to Revolutionize Rail Travel with €546B High-Speed Masterplan
The European Commission is set to unveil a Masterplan for High Speed Connections on October 21, aiming to revolutionize rail travel across the continent. This ambitious project, with an estimated cost of €546 billion, seeks to connect all major EU cities with high-speed trains, covering over 49,400 kilometers of track.
The plan, expected to take 20 years to complete, will significantly boost Europe's rail network. Currently, only about 5-10% of the network is saturated, indicating a vast potential for expansion. The European High-Speed Rail Network aims to operate trains at speeds up to 350 km/h, far surpassing the current average speeds of 50 km/h on conventional trains.
To illustrate the potential of high-speed rail, consider a tourist traveling at 250 km/h. They can cover 1,500 kilometers in six hours, compared to just 300 kilometers at 50 km/h. This efficiency is expected to make rail the backbone of travel, with projections showing 50% of long-distance journeys by high-speed train and 20% by conventional train.
The European Commission's Masterplan for High Speed Connections, to be presented on October 21, is poised to transform Europe's rail infrastructure. This €546 billion project, if successfully implemented, will not only enhance connectivity but also stimulate private and public sector investments that have been hindered by the lack of rail infrastructure.
