The European Commission has welcomed the agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council on the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) proposal, worth €33.7 billion, as part of the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027. The CEF programme supports investment in Europe's transport, energy and digital infrastructure networks. It will support the goals of the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy laying the foundations for how the EU transport system can achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient to future crises. As outlined in the European Green Deal, the result will be a 90% cut in emissions by 2050, delivered by a smart, competitive, safe, accessible and affordable transport system. It will also prioritise environmentally friendly transport modes such as rail, and the deployment of charging points for vehicles using alternative fuels.

The objective for me this year is to see rail become the driving force it once was: This traditional transport mode, enabler of the industrial revolution, could now play a central role in yet another fundamental transformation: one that will lead us to a sustainable, emission-free transport system.

Together with @2021PortugalEU, we are officially kicking off the #EUYearofRail with a live stream from Lisbon to discuss the benefits of #rail for travellers, economy & the environment. 29 March 2-5pm. Join us on https://t.co/kzJFus4jRN

Only 22% of transport workers are women. The Commission will continue to work hard to ensure equality is integral in all our initiatives, at all stages, & support the “More Women in Transport – Platform for Change” to increase the number of women in transport.