The request from the PVV faction for more transparency about the efforts and agendas of the Minister and State Secretary regarding European transport meetings was recently the starting point of a recent discussion in the House of Representatives.
Members noted that no formal agenda had yet been published for the EU Transport Ministers’ meeting, which took place on 19 and 20 September. However, Minister Barry Madlener indicated that the Hungarian Presidency had shared the annotated agenda with the Chamber on 5 September. This agenda focused on the competitiveness of the European Union and covered key issues such as connectivity with neighbouring countries and greening the transport sector.
A specific point of attention was the European rail network, where the potential of digitalisation and the construction of a pan-European high-speed line were discussed. The members of the PVV faction also expressed their concerns about the Dutch rail infrastructure. They asked the minister whether European financial resources are available to invest in this infrastructure, in particular via the TEN-T network.
TENT
This network is a Trans-European Transport Network that is partly financed by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). Since 2014, the Netherlands has successfully co-financed several infrastructure projects via CEF. The PVV also asked about the government's plans to bring European funds to the Netherlands for investments in Dutch rail infrastructure. The minister indicated that such a proposal can be expected in the second half of 2025.
The issue of compatibility of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) was also raised by the PVV faction. The members emphasised the risks that arise from the implementation of different versions and baselines of the system by various member states, which could hamper international rail connections. The minister endorsed these concerns and indicated that the subject would be discussed during the informal meeting of EU transport ministers. According to the minister, the harmonisation of ERTMS is crucial for the successful digitalisation of rail in Europe.
The House of Representatives continues to ask questions about the progress of European transport projects and the Netherlands' commitment to them. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management is actively working on various initiatives to green and modernise the rail and transport sector, while also continuing to represent the interests of Dutch travellers and businesses.
The GroenLinks-PvdA faction focused their questions primarily on international train connections. They expressed their appreciation for the State Secretary's efforts to improve connections between European cities, but also asked about concrete steps that are being taken to achieve this. The Minister indicated that plans are being developed for cross-border connections, and that five Dutch stations will be connected to the High Speed Line (HSL) network. In addition, the European Commission supports pilot projects for new international train services, and the Netherlands is committed to an effective follow-up to this.
international train tickets
A point of concern for GroenLinks-PvdA was the bookability of international train tickets, especially to countries such as Italy, Spain and Scandinavia. The faction is calling for the creation of a single EU-wide ticket system. The State Secretary indicated that various initiatives are underway at European level, including a bill for Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS), which should facilitate multimodal travel within Europe. However, the presentation of this proposal has been postponed until 2025.
The VVD faction in turn asked about the role of the Netherlands in improving connections with the Western Balkan countries, a priority for the Hungarian EU presidency. The Netherlands is positive about the extension of the TEN-T network to third countries, which can contribute to trade and economic cooperation with neighbouring countries.
investing
The VVD faction members also expressed their support for continued investment in the TEN-T network, but noted that there are still significant financial challenges for the implementation of the network, especially in the rail sector. The ministry is currently working on an implementation plan for the new TEN-T regulation, which will come into force in July 2024.
In terms of improving international passenger rail transport, the VVD sees ticketing as an absolute priority. The ministry works closely with other member states within the International Rail Platform to improve the passenger experience, including by focusing on a uniform ticket system.
