German government proposes TEE 2.0 network

摘要

German Transport minister Andreas Scheuer presented proposals to transport ministers from all EU states on 21 September recommending the creation of a new Trans Europe Express (TEE) network based upon both daytime high-speed trains and a revitalised night train network linking multiple countries. Germany currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU. The new "TEE 2.0" network would be a successor to the original TEE system established by SNCF, DB, SBB, NS, CFL and FS in 1954. TEE services operated from 1957 using purpose-built trains, offering fast and luxurious travel by the standards of the time. The network ceased operation in the 1980s partly replaced by lower and more variable quality EuroCity trains. Several European operators formed the "Railteam" co-operative group in 2007 to jointly promote rail services and offer improved customer service. In practice this resulted in little real change with seamless ticketing still not available on many routes and little co-operation that has actually benefited passengers or made rail a stronger competitor with budget airlines or long-distance buses. In some cases, national operators have created joint ventures or jointly-owned companies to operate international high-speed services (e.g. Thalys or the Franco-German "Alleo" joint venture).