On 3 June 2025, EPF and its member organisations (FNAUT, PTP, and UTP) sent a letter to the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection (IMCO) and the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN), highlighting the ongoing challenges concerning cross-border rail services between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe via France.

Since October 2024, EPF has been actively warning European bodies about this situation, stressing that the issues are not merely technical but also deeply rooted in market access and competition. Despite these efforts, there has been little reaction from the European level so far, and no significant progress has been observed in terms of concrete actions or follow-up.

The limited frequencies between key destinations lead to high prices and missed opportunities to improve connectivity. More service opportunities must be guaranteed to make rail a competitive and attractive option. Beyond the clear environmental benefits of rail over air travel, these services are crucial for passengers, enhancing system resilience, reducing reliance on transfers through major hubs, and providing better, more direct connectivity for underserved regions.

EPF remains open to collaborate to ensure that cross-border connections are properly restored and improved, with passengers’ interests at the core.

Read the full letter here.