Connecting Europe Facility invests €7 billion in sustainable, safe and smart transport infrastructure

The European Commission, through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), has allocated over €7 billion in grants to 134 transport projects, with a notable emphasis on enhancing urban mobility. 

Among these, more than €36 million is earmarked for projects aimed at improving the sustainability, efficiency and accessibility of transport within European towns and cities. This call represents the largest of its kind under the current CEF Transport programme.  

Nine projects focused on urban mobility have been selected for funding, collectively receiving significant grants to drive forward urban transport development and innovation. The successful urban mobility projects can be grouped under their respective efforts to encourage multimodality, sustainable transport modes and digitalisation. 

Multimodality

Multimodal passenger hubs featured prominently among the selected projects, with many aiming to integrate various transport modes to improve efficiency and intermodality: 

1. Intermodal Hub Terminal Zone (BE)
   Receiving just over €4.5 million, this project aims to develop studies for an intermodal hub at Brussels Airport. It will integrate various transport modes including rail, public transport and cycling, to enhance multimodal services in this key urban node of the TEN-T network. 

2. Marseille Saint Charles – Development of the Multimodal Passenger Hub: Detailed Studies (FR)

   This project, with funding of over €7.5 million, addresses detailed studies for the multimodal passenger hub at Marseille Saint-Charles railway station. The studies will cover the design of an underground extension connecting the station to the metro.  

3. Multimodal Hubs for Bologna and Genova (IT)

   Receiving €1 million, this project includes design studies for upgrading the multimodal passenger hubs in the urban nodes of Bologna and Genova. It aims to enhance co-modality and transport efficiency in these cities. 

4. Preliminary Design and Related Studies of the New Naples Garibaldi-East Gate Multimodal Passenger Hub (IT)

   Allocated over €5.5 million, this project involves preliminary design studies to develop the Napoli Centrale/Garibaldi Porta Est intermodal hub. The project plans to convert a former railway yard into an underground regional rail station, bus terminal and parking facility. 

5. Studies for the New Ljubljana Bus Station (SI)

   This project, with funding over €1 million, addresses the development of a new bus station as part of the multimodal passenger hub in Ljubljana, receiving significant support for future construction in this urban node of the Core Network. 

Sustainable transport modes

Two successful projects focus on enhancing urban rail connections to improve accessibility and connectivity in key urban nodes: 

1. Works on the Roissy-Picardie Rail Link (FR)

   Receiving over €10 million, this project involves construction work for the Roissy-Picardie rail link, providing direct access to Roissy-Charles de Gaulle airport. It aims to improve rail connectivity to the airport from both the Hauts-de-France and Ile-de-France regions. 

2. Crossing Paris from Gare de l’Est to Gare Montparnasse (FR)

   This project, receiving over €1 million, will conduct a feasibility study to reorganise spaces and signage at metro stations interchanging with the major railway stations Gare de l’Est and Montparnasse. The study will prepare for the construction of passenger hubs in these key urban nodes of Paris. 

Digitalisation

Two selected projects aim to leverage advanced technologies and data management to optimise urban mobility: 

1. Analysis of AI techniques in data management for public transport digitalisation (ES)

   Allocated over €1.2 million, this project will explore the potential of artificial intelligence to optimise urban and interurban public transport networks along the TEN-T corridors. It focuses on developing AI algorithms to improve user experience and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, thereby facilitating seamless multimodal travel. 

2. Data Space 4 Mobility Models Integration (ES)

   With up to €3 million in funding, this initiative aims to create a Mobility Data Space for improved sustainable mobility management. It will facilitate real-time information sharing from various sources to enhance urban mobility across the TEN-T network. 

    

Following the approval of the 134 projects on 16 July 2024, the Commission will now officially adopt the financing decision and CINEA will start preparing grant agreements. 

Follow this link to review the full list of successful projects. 

Author: Dearbhla Mullin

Views and opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not reflect those of the European Commission.