In two and a half hours from Amsterdam to Berlin
In less than an hour from Amsterdam to Groningen, in 2 hours to Hamburg or Frankfurt, and in two and a half hours to Berlin: high-speed rail significantly reduces travel times and distances. And is also the most sustainable way to travel. Read more about the possibilities.
The impact of high-speed rail
Economic growth, environmentally friendly transportation, relieving congested airports and the most comfortable way to travel: high-speed rail is making a positive contribution to the world. Read more about the possibilities.
Connecting Europe’s capitals by HSR
High-Speed Rail is the perfect solution for long-distance travel. At distances between 200 and 800 km, it is the fastest mode of transportation, making it ideally suited for cross-border travel. It will shorten travel times at a European level, while reducing emissions and boosting economic growth of both capital cities and regions.
In order to connect all the EU’s capitals by High-Speed Rail, we have requested the European Commission for a European Citizens’ Initiative. The initiative was granted by the European Commission, and on 30 May 2023, this 100th European Citizens’ Initiative officially commenced. For the purpose, we launched a special website in all European languages, providing a roadmap with cross-border tracks and cities that Europe should connect through HSR.
The European Citizens’ Initiative has been completed in May 2024. Afterwards, we briefed the President of the European Commission about the results, developments and our recommendations. In September 2024, the Commission embraced the objective and adopted the recommendations, charging the new European Commissioner for Transport to develop an ambitious plan to connect Europe’s (capital) cities through HSR.
HSR abroad
Although the Netherlands built its first HSR-track fairly recent (2009), high-speed rail is not new. Japan started it in the 1960s, Italy uses HSR-track since the 1970s and France since 1981. But countries that started more recently, such as Spain (1990s) and China (about the same as the Netherlands), are also miles ahead in terms of the size of their high-speed track and, above all, the speed at which it can be run. Consequently, environmentally friendly trains compete much more successful with cars and planes in those countries than in the Netherlands.
Learn more
Articles are regularly published about the opportunities HSR offers and the social challenges it solves.