Rail freight transport is on the eve of a new growth phase. Europe is aiming for a substantial modal shift under the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, while NATO calls on member states to invest 1.5% of GDP in resilience. For Kristian Schmidt, Director of Land Transport at the European Commission (DG MOVE), this combination creates both urgency and opportunities: “After decades of neglect, substantial investments are finally being made in rail. That makes rail the logical long-term choice: more efficient, more punctual, and more reliable.”
Ten reasons to choose rail
Earlier this year, Rail Cargo Information Netherlands launched the brochure Ten Reasons to Choose Rail Freight during Transport Logistic in Munich. When asked which reasons seem most convincing to him from a customer perspective, Schmidt points to reason 8 – avoiding congestion – and reason 10 – investments in infrastructure.
He brings these together in a clear line of reasoning: fewer trucks on the road means fewer traffic jams, greater energy efficiency, better road safety, and less dependence on drivers. “With rail, you can transport larger volumes over longer distances without those limitations.” He sees the current wave of investment in rail lines, terminals, and digital systems as a sign that reliability and performance are improving. “Today’s inconvenience is tomorrow’s gain.”
Resilience requires redundancy
Digital threats and extreme weather are a daily reality. Schmidt is clear: redundancy is indispensable. “If you depend on a few key corridors, you are vulnerable,” he says, referring to the Rastatt incident that paralyzed the Rhine Corridor for weeks.
According to him, the solution lies in a network with sufficient alternative routes and flexible deployment of capacity, financed in a way that brings military and civilian interests together. “Every euro invested in military mobility must also strengthen civilian rail freight transport.” Rail operators must view themselves as part of Europe’s broader quest for strategic autonomy.
A European digital backbone
Resilience also requires a secure, independent digital infrastructure. Schmidt calls systems such as ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System), FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System), and robust communication networks crucial. “Suppose we didn’t have Galileo, then we would be dependent on non-European navigation. That would be a strategic vulnerability. Europe must develop its own systems and not be dependent on others.”
The same applies to cloud and AI: no single Member State can achieve this alone. The European Commission will soon present a Military Mobility Package, with priorities and legislative changes to accelerate joint implementation. “This is a shared dossier between Transport and Defence, and we work closely together within the Commission.”
Investing in corridors and missing links
The European Commission proposes doubling the budget of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for transport to €51.5 billion in the period 2028–2034, of which €17.6 billion is for military mobility and resilience. Schmidt sees this as a clear signal of confidence: transport is a top European priority.
CEF funds should primarily be deployed for cross-border missing links, alternative routes needed for diversions, and the rollout of digital systems such as ERTMS. Without a strong European impetus, Member States often postpone investments, Schmidt emphasizes. The goal is a network that becomes faster, safer, and more competitive.
In addition to expanding the network, Schmidt primarily wants to unlock the full potential of the existing infrastructure. “There is capacity that remains unused or is not available for cross-border transport, and rail freight transport is one of the biggest victims of this.”
Digital, flexible, and European capacity planning can free up an estimated 4% additional capacity – equivalent to a physical investment of €8.6 billion. The new capacity regulation is nearly finalized and enjoys broad support. The benefits will become visible step by step in the coming years. “We can only ask taxpayers for more investment if we demonstrate that we are utilizing current capacity efficiently
