The proposed European Starline network is one of the most ambitious public transit visions in recent memory, something akin to a “metro for Europe.” Spearheaded by the Copenhagen-based think tank 21st Europe, Starline aims to stitch together the continent with a seamless, high-speed rail system connecting 39 major cities from Lisbon to Kyiv and from Naples to Helsinki. This isn’t just about faster travel; it’s about redefining the European journey altogether, and it’s rooted in a bold reimagining of what pan-European mobility can look like by 2040.

At the heart of the proposal is a network spanning some 22,000 kilometers, linking major hubs across western, central, eastern, and southeastern Europe. It would include lines reaching into the UK, Turkey, and Ukraine, signaling an inclusive and forward-looking approach that consciously resists narrow political borders. The idea is to create a truly integrated space where high-speed train travel is the norm, not the exception, where rail becomes the obvious choice over short-haul flights and intercity car travel.

Unlike fragmented current systems with varying standards and operating procedures, Starline envisions a unified travel experience. All trains would operate at speeds between 300 and 400 km/h, offering significant reductions in travel time and presenting a credible challenge to regional air traffic. The service concept is refreshingly egalitarian, with no first-class carriages, a commitment to accessibility, and a shared passenger experience across the board. Trains will include quiet zones, family-friendly areas, and social lounges, and even the design language, the distinctive deep blue exterior, is meant to invoke a sense of unity and calm.

Sustainability is not an afterthought here; it’s central. The project is committed to using 100% renewable energy, aligning with Europe’s broader decarbonization goals. This kind of modal shift, enticing millions of travelers out of planes and cars and into sleek, silent electric trains, could be transformative in reducing carbon emissions across the continent. It positions Starline not only as a transportation solution, but as a climate policy instrument, a concrete answer to many of the EU’s lofty green commitments.

The governance model proposed is equally forward-thinking. A new European Railway Authority would oversee everything from scheduling and ticketing to safety and security standards, providing a single-point authority for what is now a patchwork of national rail operators. The financing model would rely on a blend of public investment and private-sector partnerships, a necessity for infrastructure of this scale and ambition.

To be clear, Starline is still a proposal. The target date for launch is 2040, and the path to realization is strewn with political, technical, and financial hurdles, but as a vision, it is breathtaking. It offers not just improved travel times, but a new way of thinking about European identity and connectivity. For public transportation advocates, it’s a blueprint worth championing, and watching closely.