Recommendations on the ERA mandate: a core European train network for better cross-border rail

Thursday, 27 February 2026

Europe on Rail, coordinated by Germanwatch, has published recommendations calling on the EU to strengthen the mandate of the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA) and accelerate the development of a core European cross-border train network.

The paper calls for a stronger European spirit in coordinating cross-border rail services and ensuring that the railway system can deliver on Europe’s climate, connectivity and competitiveness goals.

Despite the growing recognition of rail as a key pillar of sustainable mobility, the European railway system remains fragmented along national lines. Different planning processes, rules and responsibilities continue to hinder the development of efficient cross-border services. Strengthening ERA’s mandate would help streamline governance, simplify regulations and improve coordination across the European rail system. Strong integration of national and operational perspectives is key for practical implementation.

A central proposal of the recommendations is the development of a core European cross-border train network. Europe on Rail proposes that ERA co-lead a process with infrastructure managers and rail stakeholders to define a structured network of priority international passenger and freight services. This network would ensure sufficient capacity for cross-border rail while balancing regional and national services.

The proposal foresees the first exemplary connections being implemented by 2030, followed by the development of a core European train network by 2035, with further expansions every five years until the capacity needed for climate-neutral long-distance transport is reached by 2050. A strengthened ERA mandate would also help coordinate infrastructure investments, monitor bottlenecks and support the development of services such as night trains, freight connections and long-distance passenger routes across Europe.

With these recommendations, Europe on Rail supports more ambitious and visionary voices on European rail transport. It calls on EU policymakers to strengthen European rail governance and accelerate the development of a truly integrated cross-border rail system that can meet Europe’s climate and mobility ambitions.

Read or download the full recommendations here.