{"id":30247,"date":"2026-05-04T07:49:08","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T07:49:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/30247\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T07:49:08","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T07:49:08","slug":"e100b-infrastructure-demand-european-rail-sector-challenges-new-eu-budget","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/europe\/30247\/","title":{"rendered":"\u20ac100B Infrastructure Demand: European Rail Sector Challenges New EU Budget"},"content":{"rendered":"

CER says EU funding for railway investments needs more ambition and predictability. CER is the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies. It represents rail operators and infrastructure managers across Europe. In addition, it welcomed the European Parliament\u2019s position on the European Union\u2019s next multiannual budget. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\u20ac100B<\/a>\u20ac100B Infrastructure Demand: European Rail Sector Challenges New EU Budget<\/p>\n

CER\u2019s response follows the Parliament\u2019s adoption of an interim report on the multiannual financial framework for 2028\u20132034<\/a>. Also, according to the organization, the Parliament sent an important signal to the EU Council. That signal comes as Europe\u2019s competitiveness and resilience are tied to long-term infrastructure investment.<\/p>\n

CER calls for a bigger and more predictable EU budget<\/p>\n

The association welcomed the Parliament\u2019s call for a larger future European budget. It also welcomed the call to allocate a sufficient share to predictable, forward-looking investment.<\/p>\n

Also, CER said this predictability is essential for transport. Major infrastructure schemes have long planning and execution cycles.<\/p>\n

CEF and Horizon Europe remain central to rail funding<\/p>\n

In addition, CER supported the Parliament\u2019s backing for stronger European funding instruments. These include the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) and Horizon Europe.<\/p>\n

CER noted the transport sector\u2019s position: the CEF should amount to at least 100 billion EUR<\/a>. This level, CER said, is needed to address Europe\u2019s strategic infrastructure needs.<\/p>\n

At the same time, CER insisted that European funding tools need better coordination. The CEF may continue to focus mainly on cross-border infrastructure. If that focus remains, other parts of the transport network must receive coherent support. That support must come through other instruments. For example, these include national and regional partnership plans and the future European Competitiveness Fund.<\/p>\n

CER says rail should stay high on the agenda<\/p>\n

CER stressed that a fully interoperable and digitized rail system is becoming more important. The reason, CER said, is Europe\u2019s need for high-capacity, energy-efficient mobility. CER linked that need to industrial competitiveness, regional cohesion and crisis preparedness.<\/p>\n

In addition, CER connected this argument with the future European high-speed network. It also pointed to better integration with local networks. In CER\u2019s view, that integration can expand citizens\u2019 access to opportunities. Those opportunities are offered by the European single market.<\/p>\n

Also, the association said rail investment is among the most effective ways to cut transport oil use. That link makes the issue directly relevant to Europe\u2019s energy security.<\/p>\n

Concern over the future European Competitiveness Fund<\/p>\n

CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola welcomed the investment approach put forward by the European Parliament. Still, he warned about concerning signals. These are already appearing in legislative files connected with the future budget.<\/p>\n

For example, Mazzola said this is visible in discussions on the European Competitiveness Fund in particular. Some MEPs seem to be downplaying the importance of rail investments.<\/p>\n

CER\u2019s position is that solutions for a better-connected Europe already exist, with rail among them. At the same time, the organization said delivering results will require stable funding. In addition, it said a consistent level of ambition is needed across all EU budget instruments.<\/p>\n

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