Spaudos centras
Spaudos centras
To enhance military mobility and stimulate economic growth, Europe must actively invest in railway infrastructure. Furthermore, expanding the single intermodal ticket system across the European Union (EU) is essential to promote sustainable mobility. Lithuanian Deputy Minister of Transport and Communications Julijus Glebovas highlighted these goals at an international conference"Competitiveness of railway transport – a challenge and a necessity" in Wrocław, Poland.
“Railways play a vital role in national defence and security. They facilitate the efficient transport of military cargo, and during peacetime, ensure the movement of people and goods, fostering economic development. It is crucial to strengthen and modernize dual-use infrastructure across railways, roads, seas, and airports to meet both civil and military needs,” said Deputy Minister Glebovas.
The Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of continuing to develop international train routes, allocating additional funding for railway infrastructure modernization, and speeding up the construction of Rail Baltica – the European standard gauge railway, particularly important for Lithuania and other Baltic countries.
It was emphasised that Rail Baltica is an excellent example of dual-use infrastructure, serving both civil and military needs. It will connect the Baltic states to the European market and greatly enhance military mobility and resilience. Construction of the Rail Baltica line in Lithuania is already underway, with a 46.3 km section between Kaunas and Panevėžys in progress. By the end of the year, construction is expected to extend to 114 km of the mainline.
Mr. Glebovas also noted that railways are receiving more and more attention across Europe to promote more sustainable and efficient passenger transport. The initiative for a single intermodal ticket is gaining support from a growing number of EU Member States, with the European Commission set to present a proposal on the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation by this year’s end.
“By making travel planning and the purchase of single tickets for various transport modes more accessible and convenient, travel across Europe will become even easier,” added Deputy Minister Glebovas.
The need for dual-use transport projects in Lithuania is currently estimated at approximately EUR 3.5 billion. An additional EUR 4 billion is required to complete the Rail Baltica project by 2030.
According to LTG Link data, the number of train passengers in Lithuania continues to rise steadily, with 5.5 million passengers carried in 2024, marking an increase of 500,000 compared to 2023. Last year, over 100,000 passengers travelled on the international train routes between Vilnius, Warsaw, and Krakow, as well as Vilnius and Riga. This year, the train route connecting Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn was launched following the coordination of passenger train schedules across the Baltic states.