THE European Parliament (EP) formally adopted a revised regulation of the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) guidelines on April 24. New rules were approved in a vote that saw 565 votes in favour, 37 votes against and 29 abstentions. Following approval by the European Council (EC), the revised regulation will enter into force 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the European Union.
The approved revised TEN-T regulation sets several mandatory targets including adoption of ERTMS signalling across the entire network and passenger train speeds of at least 160km/h by 2040, as well as an increase in the number of transhipment terminals and improved links with neighbouring non-EU countries.
The regulation also requires member states to complete major transport links by 2030, cut transport infrastructure ties with Russia, while strengthening those with Ukraine and improve military mobility along major EU transport arteries.
Significant investment is required to complete the TEN-T network: €500bn is needed by 2030 for the core network and €1.5 trillion by 2050 for the comprehensive network.
Approval of the revised regulation was broadly welcomed by European rail sector bodies, including the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), which considers it a fundamental step towards achieving a single European railway area.
“We look forward to the timely implementation of what has been agreed,” says CER executive director, Mr Alberto Mazzola. “We expect the TEN-T provisions to bring to completion the current cross-border projects and rail corridors, increase capacity through digital solutions such as ERTMS and higher performing standards, reach full interoperability between national networks, connect rail and all the ports/airports of the core network, realise new infrastructure and develop a high-speed rail network connecting all EU capitals and major cities”.
CER suggests that the new Connecting Europe Facility (CEF III), the EU’s dedicated funding instrument, should be increased to at least €100bn under the next long-term EU budget plan (MFF 2028-35) and be complemented with other funds to be able to meet the new TEN-T targets and completion deadlines.
