Rail Transport Market Report in EU Countries

The EU has released its ninth report on the development of rail transport, presenting data from 2018 to 2022 and analyzing key trends in the transportation market. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Growth and Decline of the EU Rail Market

Experts note that until 2019, the market grew steadily by an average of 3% annually. The pandemic, however, disrupted this growth, as restrictions cut passenger traffic by 46% and reduced freight transport by 8%.

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By 2022, the industry had almost fully recovered. Passenger traffic reached 395.5 billion passenger-kilometers, representing 96% of 2019 levels, while freight volumes rose to 416 billion ton-kilometers.

Private operators in the EU significantly strengthened their positions. Their share in the freight segment grew from 39% to 49%, while in passenger services it increased to 21% under PSO contracts and to 12.6% in commercial operations.

Investments and Infrastructure in the EU

The rail network in EU countries reached 202,000 kilometers, with 57% of the lines electrified. High-speed rail expanded to over 12,000 km, showing a 10.4% increase compared to 2018.

Infrastructure investment rose from €38.7 billion in 2018 to €50.8 billion in 2022. These funds were allocated to maintenance, upgrades, reconstruction, and new construction projects.

The rail sector employed around 900,000 people in 2022, with men making up 77% of the workforce. However, the issue of an aging workforce remains critical, as 42% of employees are over 50 years old.

Rail transport also stands out for its environmental resilience. Its share of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions was only 0.3% in 2022, while carrying 8.1% of passengers and 16.6% of freight. However, the freight share declined from 18.7% to 17.2%, signaling a need for strategic adjustments.

According to Eurostat, in 2023 rail freight volumes declined again by 4.9%, highlighting the need for innovative solutions and stronger business support to stabilize the market.

What does the latest rail market report in the EU show?

It shows a strong recovery in passenger transport and growth in private operators’ market share but a continued decline in freight volumes.

What investments have been made in the EU rail infrastructure?

In 2022, €50.8 billion was invested in rail infrastructure, with funds directed toward maintenance, upgrades, and the construction of new lines.

Why has the freight market share in the EU decreased?

Analysts attribute the decline to economic instability and increasing competition from other modes of transport, requiring operators to adapt their strategies.

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