Recent years have seen the launch of numerous rail routes that have facilitated travel across European country borders. However, a Copenhagen-based think tank has put forth a more ambitious proposal for the continent’s train connections.
The 21st Europe blueprint envisions a Europe-wide high-speed rail network that would operate like a metro or tube system. This network, named Starline, aims to revamp the continent’s fragmented and slow rail infrastructure, offering ultra-fast connections to compete with air travel.
According to the think tank, a fully integrated rail system is no longer just a matter of convenience but a strategic necessity for Europe’s resilience in the 21st century. Starline is designed to change how Europeans view their continent, presenting it as a fast-moving network where every connection is easily accessible.
The group behind 21st Europe hopes to see the network operational within this century, but the question remains – how realistic is their vision?
Building a Europe-wide metro system
A Europe-wide rail system is highly desired by travelers, but despite public demand, cross-border travel remains fragmented, slow, and costly. The Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) initiative by the European Union aims to unify infrastructure across the continent.
The proposed Starline network spans 22,000 kilometers and aims to connect 39 destinations in European countries, including the UK, Turkey, and Ukraine. Trains on this network are expected to operate at speeds of 300-400 km/h, making travel significantly faster than current road and rail options.
The design of Starline trains will focus on providing different spaces for various needs, such as quiet zones for working and family-friendly sections. The deep blue livery of the trains will be easily recognizable, and new stations will be built just outside major cities with seamless connections to existing urban transport systems.
‘Europe’s best chance to meet 2050 net zero goals’
In addition to improving travel efficiency, 21st Europe sees Starline as an environmental project that can help Europe meet its 2050 net-zero goals. With the transport sector contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, a shift to high-speed rail could reduce emissions while maintaining fast and green mobility options.
A publicly-funded franchise model
To bring Starline to fruition, 21st Europe suggests central coordination for trains, passenger experience, and technology, with national rail operators running routes under a franchise model. The project will be publicly funded and overseen by a new European Rail Authority (ERA) within the EU framework to ensure coordination, interoperability, and long-term expansion of the system.
– 21. Europa
Um als europäisches System zu funktionieren, sagt 21. Europa, dass Starline harmonisierte Arbeitsverträge, technische Standards und Sicherheitsvorschriften benötigen würde.
„Das bedeutet, dass Zugbetreiber, Wartungsteams und Bahnhofspersonal nach einem gemeinsamen europäischen Rahmen geschult würden, um eine betriebliche Konsistenz unabhängig von ihrem Arbeitsort zu gewährleisten.“
Es handelt sich um einen äußerst ehrgeizigen Vorschlag, aber das Think Tank glaubt, dass er bis zum Ende des Jahrhunderts Realität werden kann.
„Jetzt beginnen wir damit, das Netzwerk aufzubauen, um echte Veränderungen voranzutreiben, indem wir Politiker, Designer und Branchenführer zusammenbringen, um Visionen in die Tat umzusetzen“, sagt es.
Korrektur: Eine frühere Version dieses Artikels hat fälschlicherweise angegeben, dass 21. Europa das Netzwerk bis 2040 in Betrieb haben möchte.