ETF welcomed the renewed political attention the Communication brings to Europe’s rail network, particularly the emphasis on cross-border coordination. According to the federation, the Commission’s acknowledgement of the need for better alignment between Member States is an important step toward building a truly integrated European rail system. The organisation stated that “strong, publicly led coordination is exactly what is needed to plan, fund, and operate a truly connected European rail system.”
“At the same time, ETF expressed deep concern over what it views as the Commission’s misplaced reliance on market liberalisation as a driver of progress. The federation argued that past experience shows that competition has not delivered the necessary infrastructure or operational integration. “Experience has shown that competition and fragmentation do not build rail infrastructure, public investment and cooperation do,” ETF said, stressing that high-speed projects require “substantial public funding, long-term planning, and a clear public service mandate, not a race to the bottom between private operators.”
ETF called on EU institutions and Member States to recognise the central role of public investment. The federation emphasised that large-scale projects cannot depend on private capital alone and urged reforms to EU fiscal rules to enable sustainable financing of strategic rail infrastructure.
The organisation also highlighted the importance of coordination over competition. It pointed to earlier decades when Europe maintained extensive cross-border rail services, made possible through cooperation between operators and governments. ETF noted that “in the 1970s, many European cities were still connected through direct day and night train services, and the Trans Europe Express network stretched from Spain to Austria, and from Denmark to southern Italy, before it was abandoned in 1995,” illustrating what coordinated planning had once achieved.
Another concern raised by ETF relates to the social dimension of the Commission’s strategy. The federation stressed that workers’ rights and job quality must remain at the centre of any expansion in cross-border operations. It warned that without harmonised monitoring of labour standards, the sector risks “social dumping and unsafe working conditions.” ETF is calling for binding digital monitoring of driving and rest times, along with clear commitments to collective bargaining and workforce training for any high-speed rail beneficiaries.
ETF also cautioned that high-speed rail should not draw funding away from conventional and regional services, which remain critical for everyday mobility and territorial cohesion. The federation argued that EU funding should be conditional on protecting regional connections and maintaining public service obligations.
In its concluding remarks, the organisation urged the Commission “to move beyond its faith in market competition and instead commit to a publicly planned, publicly funded, and socially just rail renaissance.” ETF added that only strong public leadership and coordinated governance will enable Europe’s high-speed rail strategy to deliver on its long-term promise.
The federation stated that it stands ready to work with EU institutions, national governments, and sector stakeholders to help ensure that Europe’s high-speed rail vision advances accessibility, sustainability, and fair employment conditions across the continent.
