Take the train in the world – Debate – Corren.se



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At this moment, parties in the Swedish parliament are discussing whether Sweden should build rail for high speed rail or not. For Norrköping, the question is crucial, and from a European point of view, the Swedish debate is a bit strange.

France, Spain and Italy have already merged their big cities by high speed trains. Germany continues to develop its high-speed rail lines, and Denmark's first high-speed rail line opens next year.

In principle, all the countries that built a high-speed rail also decided to plan and build additional lines. This clearly demonstrates the success and benefits that these countries receive from high-speed trains. The EU is actively supporting the construction work of cross-border railways, and many high-speed trains currently under construction will improve the link between Sweden and Germany and the Mediterranean countries.

This evolution in Europe means being able to ride the train to Norrköping in the evening and after two and a half hours of night train to Copenhagen and the next morning to have breakfast in Rome, Barcelona or Bordeaux.

Compared to flying, the night train is an interesting journey. Instead of traveling to and from the airport, trains stop at the center of the city center. Instead of dead airports and crowded planes have seen a bed. Instead of so calm stress. Instead of climate capture, sustainable travel.

Many people are already flying because of their stress, traffic jams, congestion and its impact on the climate. The number of overnight train journeys in Berlin has doubled in one year, while the number of intercity tickets has increased sharply.

What is strange in the Swedish debate about high-speed trains, is that the largest political parties ask, or as if Sweden is an island in the sea without connection with Europe . And as the European perspective is lacking in the debate, the answer to the question is also lacking: If France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Denmark can build high-speed trains why can not Sweden? for climate responsibility and better trains. In addition to the construction of high-speed trains in Sweden, the reservation system needs to be modified. It should obviously be as easy to book international trains as to book international flights. We are fighting for what is good for the environment and the climate, and what is destroying our climate should be the bill. The government's agreement on the high speed rail and air tax are two important steps in this change.

If Sweden and Europe are to achieve global climate goals, the theft must be reduced and if it does not stop traveling abroad.

Jakop Dalunde (MP), Member of the European Parliament and Chairman of the Greens Group

Mia Sköld (MP), District President MP Östergötland, Group Leader and Board of Trustees Opposition to Norrköping

Margareta Fransson (MP), Regional Council of Eastern Östergötland and Parliamentary Candidate for Östergötland

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