Rail transport should once again become a driver of development

Railways formed Europe as we know it today. In the past, trains brought rapid development and connected people. They increased the social and economic cohesion within and between countries. Why not make rail a driver of development again? Why not assign it a central role in establishing a sustainable, zero-emission transport system?

This depends on us. It is up to all of us to make rail transport once again the driver of development and the choice that is simply most rational. To make rail the future and backbone of the sustainable transport system.

The European Union has decided to declare this year the European Year of Rail in order to promote the use of railways as a safe and sustainable means of transport. The proposal made by the European Commission and endorsed by the European Parliament and the Council is linked to the European Union's efforts to promote environmentally friendly modes of transport. It is no coincidence that this year has been declared the European Year of Rail. It was a logical and natural choice following the adoption of the European Green Deal, by which the European Union committed itself to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. Our actions must show that this year will not only have a symbolic meaning, but that we will take concrete steps to show that we are serious.

The Slovenian Presidency of the Council of the EU i supports the European Year of Rail and welcomes all activities for the promotion of rail travel. This year, as part of the Connecting Europe Express initiative, Ljubljana was one of the stops of the train that departed from the railway station in Lisbon in early September and stopped in more than 100 cities on a five-week journey. While the initiative is remarkable proof of the success of the European Year of Rail, it also reminds us of the many challenges that await the European Union in the future. In cross-border rail transport, we still face a number of obstacles that will need to be removed and that complicate the operation of trains across borders in Europe. Travelling by train between member states should not be different from driving a car.

There are also many challenges to be tackled in shifting freight from road to rail. Among other things, rail transport is the only mode of transport in which CO₂ emissions have been declining almost steadily since 1990, while traffic volumes have increased. Rail transport plays an extremely important role in decarbonisation. Connecting Europe Express thus serves as a signal of how many technical and administrative obstacles we must overcome if we are to fully shape the European railway area. We are convinced that the Connecting Europe Express initiative has contributed to raising awareness of these challenges.

The European Year of Rail will certainly contribute to accelerating the modernisation of the railways as well. In recent years, there has been a large gap in some member states between motorway financing and railway financing. Like other European countries that have announced intensified investments in railway infrastructure, the Slovenian Presidency is aware that the development and construction of new railway connections is extremely important for the competitiveness of the economy and the implementation of the European Green Deal. At the same time, there must be a constant dialogue between all stakeholders, public authorities and railway users. Only by renovating the dilapidated railway infrastructure and building a new one so that the tracks meet the requirements for fast, efficient and affordable train travel can we expect citizens to choose train travel to a greater extent. Passengers are justified in their expections and demands for modern and high-speed rail connections.

Rail transport is responsible for only 0.4% of CO₂ emissions from transport in the European Union, although it accounts for 8% of passenger and 19% of freight transport in Europe. Let us ensure that the share of passenger and freight transport increases in the coming years and decades, and in this way contribute to a cleaner and more prosperous European Union.