The recently presented international train aims to connect 39 capitals by means of trains capable of reaching speeds between 300 and 400 km/h, offering a fast, modern and sustainable alternative for long-distance travel on the continent.

With over 22,000 kilometres planned, the network aims to connect Lisbon to cities such as Helsinki, Bucharest or Kyiv, passing through several strategic European corridors.

According to Executive Digest, a new proposed schedule was discussed in Brussels this week, indicating 2035 as the target date for the completion of the first sections of the network, with priority given to the Paris to Madrid and Vienna to Berlin axes.

The original plan already included Portugal, but sources linked to the European Commission confirmed that the Lisbon to Madrid train could be one of the first to move forward. The existing infrastructure between the two capitals, still limited, should be the target of an initial investment of more than €6 billion to adapt to high speed.

The proposal is in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal, which foresees doubling high-speed rail traffic by 2050. According to the new report published by ‘21st Europe’, works in Iberia could begin as early as 2027, if the financing provided by the Connecting Europe Facility materialises.

According to the same source, the Starline project maintains the concept of trains inspired by the European Union flag, with stars on the carriages and interiors designed for comfort over long distances. Each train will have quiet areas, family compartments, cafeterias and high-speed Wi-Fi.

Stations will also be redesigned. Lisbon, for example, could see the Gare do Oriente transformed into a railway hub with green areas, cultural galleries and digital services, as discussed at the “Future of European Stations” workshop held in Valencia in early June.


Governance and sustainability

According to Executive Digest, the proposal includes the creation of a new European Railway Authority (ERA), independent of the European Union Railway Agency, with enhanced powers to manage and monitor the Starline network. Operations should be entrusted to private companies under public regulation, while financing will be provided by European funds and national contributions.

The network will use exclusively renewable energy sources, with solar panels on the station structures and direct supply contracts with wind and solar energy producers.

Despite the ambition, challenges remain. The ‘Hidden Europe’ platform, as mentioned by the source cited above, has once again warned of the complexity of the project, especially in mountainous and submerged areas. The plan to build a tunnel between Rome and Zagreb continues to raise doubts about its technical feasibility and the estimated cost of 40 billion euros.

The overall cost of the project, which has already exceeded 800 billion euros, is being debated in the European Parliament. While some member states defend the investment as strategic, others warn of the risk of budget overruns.

And what about low-cost flights?

Although Starline has been singled out as a threat to low-cost flights, they continue to dominate the market. However, a study published this month by the Technical University of Delft reveals that, in corridors with high-speed rail connections, such as Paris to Lyon or Madrid to Barcelona, ​​the share of train passengers has already exceeded 65%.

In Portugal, according to Executive Digest, the expected reduction in flights between Lisbon and Madrid could reach 70% by 2040, if the high-speed corridor goes ahead. However, airlines such as Ryanair and easyJet have reinforced alternative connections and launched campaigns to retain passengers, signalling that the competition between air and rail is far from being decided.