2023-09-19 02:41:53
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France, in particular, “invested more than twice as much in roads as in rail”, according to the study: 278 billion euros for roads compared to 130 billion for rail, urban trains, metros and trams included. A ratio almost equivalent to Germany, with 278 billion compared to 132 billion euros.
Stop funding highways
In Europe, some 13,700 km of passenger train lines have closed since 1995, the study notes, but “more than half” of passenger train lines “could be reopened relatively easily.”
The funding gap between road and rail is narrowing for the period of 2018 and 2021, with 34% more funds allocated to the automobile network than to the train. France notably invested 10% more in rail than in roads over this period.
But “we cannot yet speak of a reversal of trend” at the European level, judged Lorelei Limousin. “We must not be satisfied with increasing funding for rail, we must also stop financing problems like motorways,” she maintains.
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“Public funds must not be wasted on the expansion of highways and airports,” according to Greenpeace, which calls for “a halt to all new highway projects” by “limiting road investments to the strict minimum to maintenance” and safety measures. The NGO is therefore asking to “redirect” funding towards rail, but also public transport and non-motorized modes such as cycling or walking.
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