The Connecting Europe Express launch Hop on the Connecting Europe Express!

On the 9th of May 2021, the European Commission revealed the route of the Connecting Europe Express, one of the European Year of Rail’s most emblematic initiatives. Departing from Lisbon on the 2nd of September, this special train will travel across 26 European countries before reaching its last stop in Paris on October the 7th. The destinations of the Connecting Europe Express are available with one click, giving all citizens and organisations around Europe the opportunity to get involved by participating in events and activities along the route and welcoming the train in their nearest Connecting Europe Express railway station. The role of the Connecting Europe Express is to promote the benefits of rail travel whilst helping to better understand the challenges that European rail must overcome in order to build a true Single European Railway Area. The project is a unique endeavour, involving the European Commission and the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER), European rail operators, infrastructure managers, and numerous other partners at EU and at local level. Commissioner for Transport Adina Vălean said: "Crisscrossing the continent, from Lisbon to Bucharest and from Berlin to Paris, the Connecting Europe Express will follow routes that bind us together – whether as countries, businesses or people. While a symbol for connectivity, this train also serves as a reminder that we still have a long way to go and much work to do before rail becomes the transport option of choice for Europeans. Welcome the Connecting Europe Express as it stops at a station near you and join in on the events taking place around the continent.” Illustrating the challenges on our way to a fully interoperable rail network, the Connecting Europe Express will comprise three different trains that fit the different gauges used in Europe. The first will run on the Iberian gauge in Portugal and Spain, the second on the standard continental gauge, and a third one on the Baltic gauge in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The Connecting Europe Express running on the standard gauge will have six coaches. Two will host mobile exhibitions on the many technologies and innovations already improving the rail experience (Shift2Rail Joint Undertaking), and on how the EU supports infrastructure projects (CINEA). A conference, sitting, dining, and sleeping coach will complete the train. Five conferences have already been confirmed and these will take place along the route ‒ in Lisbon, Bucharest, Brdo, Berlin, and Bettembourg ‒ inviting discussion and debate on the ambitious targets and action plans for rail outlined in the EU’s Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy. The conferences will focus on the policy for EU infrastructure and highlight the role of the Trans-European Network for Transport (TEN-T) in connecting not only Europe but also transport in general.

In the run-up to the #ConnectingEurope Express, key partners will share their views on the project and explain what is happening behind the scenes! First up: Andreas Matthä, ÖBB CEO and Chair of CER – the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, in charge of sending this special train across the continent.

What is it like to collaborate with other partners in building the Connecting Europe Express and how does this contribute to the development of the Single European Railway Area? Andreas Matthä: A project like the Connecting Europe Express can only be successful if all partners focus on the same goal - to bring this project to reality! We can build on well-established working networks between railways in Europe and the main railway organizations, like CER, EIM, ALLRAIL, ERFA or RNE and not to forget the Rail Freight Corridors. In addition skilled project management is key to implement this project. The experience in collaborating with other partners building the Connecting Europe Express is an important exercise to bring us closer to our ultimate goal, the Single European Rail Area.

How does the ÖBB contribute to the project? Will you provide a coach? The ÖBB Nightjets are connecting Europe already – our blue sleeper wagons are known all over the Continent. Therefore, it was a logical step for us as Europe’s largest night train-operator, to participate in the Connecting Europe Express project. We will include one blue sleeping car and are happy to present this different way of rail travel all over Europe.

What are your perspectives regarding the future of rail and particularly how is the ÖBB contributing to make rail greener/reduce emissions? It is clear that the role of rail in our transport system needs to match its environmental credentials, both when it comes to the transport of goods and passengers. Only by consistently shifting freight traffic to rail and expanding international long-distance passenger rail services will Europe be able to achieve its climate targets and make the European Green Deal an overall success. With the ÖBB Nightjet network, we as the ÖBB established one alternative to flights within Europe.

What are your wishes on the Connecting Europe Express and the European Year of Rail? The Connecting Europe Express will travel through 26 European countries and is proof of the success of the European Year of Rail. I hope many European citizens will have the opportunity to see the train at its many stops across Europe. I am sure this will provide the perfect opportunity to discuss rail with others, as the climate-friendly mode of transport for Europe.