Poland, alongside nine other countries, has been a member of the European Union for 20 years. EU membership brought with it many investments, which also benefited Polish rail infrastructure. The 166 billion Polish złoty (27 billion euros) in investments have transformed Polish railways, says national rail operator PKP. PKP reviewed the contribution of “huge funds”…
Category: EU
ERFA: “EU’s Greening Freight Package lacks a coherent strategy”
The EU’s Greening Freight Package is the bloc’s flagship policy package for decarbonisation in the transport sector. It looks to decrease emissions in European transport by 90 per cent in 2050. However, the package is not all sunshine and rainbows. Many disagreements about its content remain and the future of the package depends on the…
EU antitrust chief warns against telecoms mergers
EU competition chief Margrethe Vestager has issued a stern warning against further consolidation in the bloc’s telecommunications industry, countering a recent EU report that advocated for mergers among operators to bolster networks. Speaking at …
Deutsche Bahn does not rule out DB Cargo sale
Deutsche Bahn (DB) does not rule out the sale of its freight subsidiary DB Cargo. Looming EU sanctions over excessive state support are forcing DB to find an escape route. A partial sale of financially underperforming DB Cargo might be on the table. According to Handelsblatt, DB does not rule out a sale of its…
METRANS launches new connection to Ukraine
METRANS has launched a new freight connection to Ukraine. The service will run between Poland and the Ukrainian town Mostyska. According to METRANS, the route connects its network to cities such as Kyiv and Odesa. European rail operator METRANS launched the new route during the Easter weekend. Trains will run between Dabrowa Gornicza in Poland…
Ukraine is building yet another European gauge track to the EU
Ukraine has started building yet another track to the border with the EU. The planned European-gauge track will run from Uzhhorod to Chop on the border with Hungary and Slovakia. Ukraine started building a track from Lviv to Poland earlier this year. In the presence of the Prime Minister and the head of Ukrainian Railways,…
Austria starts 250,000 euro support scheme for single wagon transport in Tyrol
Austria has started a 250,000 support scheme for single wagon transport in Tyrol, bordering Italy. The programme has been in effect since 1 April. It is not supposed to be a one-time love affair with rail as it aims at a long-term modal shift breakup with the road. The scheme aims at “greater efficiency, a…
Poland to invest over a billion euros in Silesia rail infrastructure
The Polish rail Infrastructure Manager PKP PLK will invest over a billion euros in rail infrastructure. The operator signed contracts for rail upgrades in the country’s southern region of Silesia. With the investments, Poland hopes to reduce traffic congestion and improve connectivity on TEN-T corridors. PKP PLK signed two contracts with a value of over…
China-EU freight through Russia nearly back at pre-war levels
Rail freight transit through Russia to the EU is nearly back at its pre-war level. As Houthi attacks endanger shipping on the Red Sea, shippers are looking for alternative routes. Consequently, the volume of China-EU freight that travels via Russian rail grew by 44 per cent in 2024. According to Russian media, the volume of…
Czechia warns: Russia is trying to sabotage European rail
The Czech transport minister has warned that Russia is trying to sabotage European rail. The minister said that Russia has made thousands of attempts to destabilise the EU and undermine critical infrastructure since the start of its war in Ukraine. It is not the first time a European official warned of Russian sabotage. Czech transport…