The TEN-T programme consists of hundreds of projects – defined as studies or works – with the ultimate purpose of ensuring the cohesion, interconnection, and interoperability of the trans-European transport network, as well as access to it

These projects are located in every member state and they include all modes of transport, i.e.: 

• Road
• Rail
• Maritime
• Inland waterways
• Air
• Logistics
• Co-modality
• Innovation

Current TEN-T projects range from Rail Baltica connecting Helsinki and Warsaw, to the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will link Austria and Italy, to the Lisbon-Madrid high-speed rail line. 

The newly reached agreement

The deal seeks to focus more on intermodal transport undertaken primarily by rail, inland, waterways, and short-sea shipping.

This will be reinforced by electrified railways in the core TEN-T network, running at speeds of 160 km/h for passenger rail and 100 km/h for freight, and crossing internal EU borders in less than 25 minutes on average by the end of 2030.

In addition, EU railways will have to migrate to the European standard nominal track gauge (1435 mm) and by the end of 2040 switch to a single traffic management system.  

The agreement further ensures the seamless transfer of military troops and equipment – MEPs convinced EU governments to take into account military needs (weight or size of military transport) when constructing or upgrading infrastructure that overlaps with military transport networks. 

Around a year after these rules are put into force, the Commission will have to conduct a study on short-notice large-scale movements across the EU, to facilitate military mobility planning.

“With new trans-European transport network rules, we are creating the conditions for a shift towards more ecological transport modes, while stimulating the mobility of Europeans and the competitiveness of our economy,” EP rapporteur Dominque Riquet stressed. 

Criticism of the agreement

Despite the consensus, the agreement has been criticised by the EPP group in the Parliament saying that it failed to shift traffic from road to rail.

The group stated that the deal “falls short” of their expectations and raises concerns about the real commitment of member states to create a functioning European transport network.

The group admitted that it anticipated a “more ambitious outcome”, especially for rail transport.

“The EPP Group is disappointed by the Council’s insistence on minimum requirements for the core network and a cargo train passage frequency many times lower than possible,” MEP Barbara Thaler said.

“National priorities jeopardise shared European goals, hindering an ambitious vision for rail. The impracticalities imposed on cargo trains create even more disparity between rail and other modes of transport. It goes against the EU’s commitment to shift traffic from road to rail.”

Next steps

Parliament and Council need to formally approve the agreement before it can come into force. 

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