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Spain to Paris by train in six hours? Europe's high-speed rail dream edges closer
The EU wants a fully connected network by 2040 that will make travel faster, greener and easier
The European Commission has announced an ambitious plan to expand high-speed rail links across Europe, making it faster and easier to travel between major cities. Unveiled in Brussels this week, the project aims to have a fully connected high-speed network running by 2040.
Spain stands to benefit in a big way. If all goes to plan, the journey from Madrid to Paris could take just six hours, while the trip from Madrid to Lisbon would be cut to around three. These links are expected to be up and running by 2035, bringing the Iberian Peninsula much closer to the rest of Europe.
Other parts of the continent are in for major improvements too. Travellers could soon hop from Berlin to Copenhagen in only four hours instead of the current seven, and trains between Sofia and Athens are expected to make the journey in about six.
The goal is to make train travel across Europe faster, smoother and more appealing, giving people a genuine alternative to short-haul flights.
To get there, the Commission’s plan focuses on four main priorities. First, it wants to speed up investment and create a network where trains can move freely between countries without technical barriers. It also aims to make the rail sector more competitive and attractive for both passengers and operators.
On top of that, the plan supports innovation and the development of a strong, modern European rail industry. Finally, it calls for better coordination at EU level to make sure this shared vision actually becomes a reality.
If successful, the new system could transform how Europeans travel, linking capital cities in record time and bringing plans for a truly connected continent a big step closer.
In other news: Spain orders poultry lockdown as bird flu cases surge
Images: Freepik/European Commission
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