Note: the questions were not answered, but we’ve received this text:
People perceive the train as a viable alternative if the journey does not take longer than 25% of the traveling time by plane (including checking in times) and if the price is competitive. There should be more collaboration on a European level to develop the rail network to make the train a viable alternative for flying for trips under 700 km. The maximum speed on international corridors should therefore where possible be increased to 200 to 250 km/h and overtaking tracks should be built on busy sections like Utrecht-Ede. This way national train transport can grow as well.
European infrastructure funds should be used for speeding up cross-border corridors as much as possible to realise this fast European network no later than 2030.
- A European approach needs to be established to greatly reduce traveling time on international train connections. Traveling times between Amsterdam and Berlin (now 6:22 h), Amsterdam and Hamburg (now 3:47 h) and Eindhoven and Düsseldorf (now 1:49 h) should be reduced by at least, respectively, 2 hours, 1 hour and half an hour. Also, fast Intercities should be introduced between Groningen and Bremen, Eindhoven and Antwerpen and Aken and Luik.
- Fares for cross-border train travel should be lowered to become competitive with flying by eliminating tariff barriers at borders. The EU should stimulate this by establishing rules on national use fees to lower these when needed. VAT on international train tickets will be removed as long as no VAT is raised on flight tickets and transport providers will be obligated to offer cross-border subscriptions that are similarly prices as national subscriptions.
- A European action program will be introduced to make sure that international train tickets to every station in Europe in every country can be easily bought online for the same fares as they are sold in the respective country.