Transport Minister proposes blueprint for EU's high-speed railway system.
Germany Proposes Europe-Wide High-Speed and Night Train Network
Berlin - German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer has unveiled a plan to enhance connections between European metropolises using high-speed and night trains. In an interview with the Funke media group's Saturday editions, the CSU politician revealed the project, dubbed TransEuropExpress (TEE) 2.0, aiming to create a more seamless train traveling experience across Europe.
Scheuer plans to present the concept officially during the German EU Council presidency at a rail summit with European transport ministers on Monday. The project calls for trains equipped with comfortable facilities and usable across borders, which would necessitate an EU funding program. According to Scheuer, a digital platform should also be developed for easily booking European train connections. As an example, he cited a potential route from Paris to Warsaw, with stops in Brussels, Cologne, and Berlin.
Invoking the success of the Germany-Takt model, Scheuer predicted that a network for high-speed and night train services could be in operation by 2025. He seeks to convince European railway companies to adopt the TEE 2.0 concept, aiming to secure a declaration of intent by year's end. There is reportedly significant interest in Scandinavia.
When asked about potential increases in train travel costs, Scheuer indicated that such a change would send the wrong signal but emphasized that prices are determined by railway companies.
While the notion of revitalizing a high-speed and night train network across Europe aligns with broader policy goals, there is currently no officially recognized or widely-reported TEE 2.0 project led by Scheuer. However, related developments, such as private sector investment and EU policy, point towards ongoing progress in enhancing European rail connectivity. For instance, the German private rail operator FlixTrain is making a significant investment in high-speed trainsets, and the European Parliament continues to emphasize improvements in rail connectivity and interoperability.
- The TransEuropExpress (TEE) 2.0 project, proposed by German Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer, aims to create a seamless train traveling experience across Europe, requiring an EU funding program for borderless trains with comfortable facilities.
- If implemented, the high-speed and night train network, informed by the success of the Germany-Takt model, could see operation by 2025, potentially leading to a significant increase in train travel across various industries, including finance, politics, policy-and-legislation, and general-news.
- The proposed TransEuropExpress (TEE) 2.0 project envisions a route from Paris to Warsaw, with stops in Brussels, Cologne, and Berlin, underlining the potential for improved transportation connections between European metropolises.
