A U!Train Manifesto for Sustainable Mobility

Driven by students from the alliance, the U!Train Manifesto, calls on policymakers, transport ministers, and universities to prioritize the revitalization and enhancement of rail systems across Europe.
Why rail matters?

Europe is at a decisive crossroads in its pursuit of sustainability, with rail transport poised to reclaim its position as a cornerstone of mobility. The U!Train initiative brought together students from nine European universities to confront the challenges and unlock the potential of rail travel. During a collaborative mapathon last september, 28 students identified over 200 points of interest across the European rail network, highlighting areas that urgently need improvement.

The culmination of these efforts is the U! Train Manifesto, a set of actionable recommendations aimed at transforming rail transport for a more sustainable and connected Europe.

Key Recommendations for Rail Improvement

Based on their travels, research, and discussions, the students have outlined several critical areas for enhancing rail transport in Europe:

  • Accessibility for All: Ensuring that rail transport is inclusive and accessible for all, particularly for individuals with reduced mobility.
  • Increased Passenger Comfort: Enhancing train infrastructure to boost comfort and productivity during travel.
  • Improved Customer Service: Fostering better coordination between railway companies to enable seamless cross-border travel, with multilingual support for passengers.
  • More Travel Options and Efficiency: Expanding direct connections and night train services while making trains faster, more reliable, and cost-competitive with other modes of transportation.
  • Sustainability as a Priority: Aligning rail development with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and European Green Deal policies, ensuring a commitment to greener, more sustainable travel.
Student Experiences and Insights

The students' firsthand experiences traveling across Europe have brought a personal perspective to the findings of the U!Train program. Their reflections highlight the promise of rail travel as well as the need for critical improvements.

Elisabeth Gnadlinger from TU Graz:

Experiencing Europe's diverse cultures and landscapes on my journey from the Austrian Alps to the Mediterranean in Barcelona was unforgettable. It highlighted the incredible potential of rail as a mode of transport. While some routes are exceptional, others struggle with inefficiencies and connectivity problems, making parts of the journey more difficult than they should be. We need robust improvements in infrastructure to make train travel the default choice and help create a truly connected and sustainable Europe

Maelie Blache from University Grenoble Alpes:

What stood out for me was hearing that some participants traveled from Northern Europe by train. Due to the current state of the rail network, I realized their journey was likely far from pleasant. This underscores the urgency of improving Europe's rail systems. We have much work to do to create a train network that minimizes carbon emissions while providing a comfortable, accessible experience for all travelers

More information and testimonials on the Unite! website.