Rail & combined transport
What the network must be able to do
The TEN-T Regulation (EU) 2024/1679 sets specific performance values for freight lines.
| Network and deadline | Requirement | Provision |
|---|---|---|
| Extended core, 31 Dec 2040 | 740 m freight trains without special permission; double track at least one path per two hours and direction and 24 per day, single track one per three hours and 12 per day | Art. 16(2) |
| Extended core, 31 Dec 2040 | on sections between terminal and node or border, at least 100 km/h over 75% of the length | Art. 16(2)(c) |
| Comprehensive, 31 Dec 2050 | fully electrified, 22.5 t axle load, 740 m trains | Art. 15(2) |
| Core / extended / comprehensive, 2030 / 2040 / 2050 | best efforts for two paths per hour and direction for 740 m trains on double track | Art. 19(2) |
Why combined transport is at the centre
About half of the tonne-kilometres in European rail freight are intermodal, and the share is rising. The EU aims to double rail's share of freight. To get there, the main part of the journey is to run by rail and only the first and last mile by road.
The infrastructure is to carry freight trains with 4 m high standard semi-trailers loaded at least 27 cm above the top of rail; 33 cm is to be encouraged (recital 48).
What that means: the regulation describes the network, not the wagons and loading units. Without pocket wagons and craneable trailers the new profile stays unused.
Borders and terminals
- At most 25 minutes average dwell time of cross-border freight trains per border section (Art. 19(1)(a)).
- At least 75% of cross-border freight trains on time or with no more than 30 minutes' infrastructure-related delay (Art. 19(1)(b)).
- By 19 July 2027 market and prospective analysis of multimodal freight terminals in every Member State (Art. 36(3)).
- Nine European Transport Corridors, including North Sea–Rhine–Mediterranean, Scandinavian–Mediterranean and Rhine–Danube (Art. 11).
- Resilience: projects are to become more resilient to climate change, natural hazards, hybrid threats and cyber attacks (Art. 46).