A Single European Railway Area: Why and How EU-Rail Contributes?

What would it take to travel across Europe by rail—seamlessly, sustainably, and affordably? In this first episode of The European Railcast, host Karen Coleman is joined by Giorgio Travaini, Executive Director of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), to explore the bold vision of creating a Single European Railway Area. From tackling the legacy of fragmented national systems to rolling out standardised digital solutions, Giorgio explains how EU-Rail is helping transform the continent’s rail sector through research, innovation, and collaboration.We also hear from Kristian Schmidt, Director for Land Transport at the European Commission, who offers insights on the EU’s legislative and policy efforts—from ticketing to infrastructure—to support a unified, high-speed, cross-border rail system.Whether you’re in the industry or just passionate about sustainable mobility, this episode dives deep into why rail is key to Europe’s climate ambitions—and what it will take to get there.The European Railcast: A Podcast About the Future of European Mobility is a podcast brought to you by Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking, with funding from Horizon Europe.