A recent analysis by the environmental organization Greenpeace revealed that European cities have better connectivity by plane than by train. The study found that existing infrastructure could support the creation of 305 new direct train connections between cities in Europe. Greenpeace compared train and flight connections between 45 major European cities and highlighted the potential for improving direct train routes.
Out of 990 routes between cities analyzed, only 12 percent could be covered by direct trains, while the number of direct flights was significantly higher. Popular routes like Paris-Rome, Madrid-Paris, and London-Berlin currently lack direct train connections, despite being among the most frequently used flight routes in Europe. Greenpeace suggested that introducing direct train routes on these popular paths could significantly reduce travel times.
In the current scenario, train travel from Paris to Copenhagen involves changing trains twice, resulting in longer travel times and higher costs compared to air travel. Greenpeace advocates for a new EU rail strategy that prioritizes trains over flights, reduces train tolls, and introduces a kerosene tax to discourage air travel. The organization calls for the promotion of direct train connections between European cities to encourage sustainable travel practices and reduce carbon emissions.