Open letter to EU: European Year of Rail 2021 needs to improve rail transport!

On 29 March, the Portuguese EU Council presidency officially launches the European Year of Rail. Germanwatch and other European NGOs have send an open letter to the Commission and the Portuguese presidency to call for a European rail renaissance. The EU and the member state governments need to use the European Year of Rail 2021 to give a boost to cross-border passenger rail, with the following measures:

• Get new international day and night trains running from 2021
• Launch a funding programme for rolling stock
• Invest in the modernisation of infrastructure
• Make train travelling cheaper than flights on the same distance
• Guarantee passenger rights and easy booking of international rail trips