PKP DB SNCF Signs EU Funding Call for Cross-Border Rail

HELENÓW, POLAND – The national railway operators of Poland (PKP Group), Germany (Deutsche Bahn), and France (SNCF) signed a trilateral declaration on February 17 to strengthen safety and quality standards across their networks. The agreement, signed during a Weimar Triangle transport ministers’ meeting, focuses on improving cross-border connections and supporting the EU’s high-speed rail action plan. The signatories collectively urged the European Commission to increase funding for the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to meet network completion costs estimated at hundreds of billions of EUR.

What Does This Declaration Cover?

The declaration establishes a framework for trilateral cooperation on network integration, safety standards, and joint advocacy for increased European Union funding. It provides for the development of the cross-border rail network connecting Poland, Germany, and France, with a specific focus on supporting the EU’s action plan for high-speed trains. A key component of the agreement is a formal call to the European Commission to increase financing within the EU’s future multiannual financial framework, arguing that current CEF levels are insufficient for completing the core TEN-T network.

Key Declaration Data

How Does This Align with Market Realities?

The declaration’s passenger growth ambitions align with positive European travel trends, while its freight objectives contrast with a softening near-term market for new rolling stock in Poland. While general passenger transport demand is robust, evidenced by a reported 11 percent passenger increase for ferry operator Wasaline in February 2026, the rail freight sector faces headwinds (Source: Wasaline, 2026). In Poland, FreightCar America reported a drop in new railcar deliveries to 4,125 in 2025 from 4,362 in 2024, citing softer near-term new-build demand even as aftermarket revenue grew (Source: FreightCar America, 2025). This suggests that while passenger-focused initiatives may find fertile ground, revitalizing the freight rolling stock market may require more than infrastructure policy.

Editor’s Analysis

This declaration is a strategic political maneuver by three of Europe’s largest state railways to influence the EU’s next long-term budget and prioritize rail infrastructure. By unifying their voices, PKP, DB, and SNCF aim to secure a larger share of CEF funding for critical cross-border and high-speed projects. However, the initiative’s freight ambitions face a challenging market reality, as the recent decline in new freight car orders in Poland indicates that operator investment is lagging behind policy goals (Source: FreightCar America, 2025).

FAQ

Q: What specific railway lines will be upgraded under this agreement?
A: The declaration does not specify particular railway lines for upgrades. It establishes a high-level framework for improving the overall cross-border network connecting Poland, Germany, and France.

Q: How much new funding is being committed by PKP, DB, and SNCF?
A: No new direct financial commitments from the three railway companies were announced as part of this declaration. The document is primarily a joint call for the European Commission to allocate more EU-level funding for rail.

Q: What is the current state of the Polish rail freight market this declaration aims to improve?
A: The Polish rail freight market is currently experiencing a slowdown in demand for new equipment. For example, FreightCar America’s deliveries for 2025 fell to 4,125 railcars from 4,362 the previous year, indicating softer near-term demand.