Starline, which has been unveiled by the think tank 21st Europe based out of Copenhagen, happens to be a visionary plan so as to connect 39 cities throughout Europe with a massive high-speed rail network, which would run with the simplicity and regularity of a metro system.
With kilometres spanning 22,000, the network looks forward to linking countries throughout the entire Europe with trains operating at a speed between 300 and 400 km/h. All this will lead to slashing the travel times throughout the continent, thereby turning the present long journeys into seamless and easy cross-border commutes.
As per 21st Europe, a truly integrated rail system is no longer a matter of convenience. It is also a strategic need for the resilience of Europe in the 21st century.
Although the European Union already goes on to support the trans-European transport network (TEN-T) in order to improve the continental connections, the backers of Starline believe that the present efforts very well fall short of what exactly is needed.
In spite of the public demand, the cross-border travel goes on to remain fragmented, is slow, and is also very costly. The think tank blames it on outdated stations, inconsistent ticketing, and also distinct train standard standards throughout the countries.
Starline wants to change all of this. Created on both new and existing infrastructure. Its unified design will go on to offer a Metro-like experience. It is well to be noted that the trains are going to be easily identified due to their deep blue livery, which is a nod to the EU flag, and will have the star detailing along the sides.
There will be a modern layout inside without any traditional class division. Carriers are going to feature quiet zones for those working, areas that are family-friendly, cafes, as well as comfortable open-plan seating.
At its full speed, Starline can go ahead and cut the travel time massively, and as a matter of fact, the environmental payoff can be just as significant.
With transportation comprising almost 29% when it comes to the greenhouse gas emissions in the EU, Starline looks to cut short flights, thereby decreasing the aviation footprint by almost 80%.
As per the organization, a bold shift when it comes to high-speed rail might as well be Europe’s best chance to accomplish its 2050 net-zero goals while at the same time making sure that mobility goes on to remain both fast and sustainable.
It is worth noting that Starline’s ambition goes beyond the trains themselves. This network looks forward to building new stations just outside of the major cities, which would be designed as cultural as well as social hubs. These spaces will go on beyond platforms and ticketing machines and will offer restaurants, museums, concerts, hotels, sporting venues, and also public areas by making them one-off destinations in their own right.
According to Kaave Pour, the founder of 21st Century, in Europe, railways have always been more than just a transport. They are the ones that shape cultures and economies and, as a matter of fact, deliver national identities. Today they are needed to do the same when it comes to Europe.
In this proposal, the network looks forward to being publicly funded and operated by national rail companies that are approved. A new European Rail Authority – ERA will oversee the operations, thereby making sure of interoperability, labor agreements that are harmonized, and safety regulations that are shared across the borders.
Tickets are going to be available across a unified and open platform much like air travel today, having AI-driven security stations and pricing that undercuts short flights as well as current rail fares.
It is worth noting that Starline is still in the concept phase, and its rollout would take decades, but 21st Century insists that this is going to be a blueprint for real change. As per the think tank, just like what China’s high-speed rail revolution did, Starline can very well generate millions of jobs and even contribute in a major way when it comes to urban GDP growth.
As per the group, they begin the network so as to push for real change, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, and designers in order to turn vision into actions.
