In March 2025, Basque Minister of Sustainable Mobility Susana García Chueca (PSE Euskadi) recently embarked on a two-day trip to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium as part of a European cooperation project focused on cross-border rail connectivity. The Minister and others were hosted by the Aachener Verkehrsverbund (AVV) or Aachen Transport Association.

The visit was centred around the Tri-Country Train, a key example of regional cross-border rail transport, and included discussions with other European stakeholders on promoting sustainable mobility across national borders. The initiative falls under the CROSUSMOB project, ‘Fostering Cross-Border Sustainable Mobility‘, which is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Interreg Europe programme and managed by the Basque railway company ETS.

Three countries, one train

The Tri-Country Train, known as Drielandentrein, Dreiländerzug, or Train des trois pays, connects Liège in Belgium, Maastricht in the Netherlands, and Aachen in Germany. Inaugurated in July 2023 after years of planning, it provides hourly departures to enhance regional mobility. Historically, many smaller cross-border rail lines in Europe had fallen into disuse, but recent initiatives signal a revival of these essential links, complementing high-speed rail networks.

AVV hosted 23 mobility experts from various European cross-border regions, including representatives from Slovenia, Spain, Hungary, France, and the Netherlands. These experts, along with the Basque Minister, participated in workshops aimed at improving regional and national policies to develop a Single European Railway Area. Discussions covered infrastructure challenges, ticketing systems, and policy differences between countries, with a focus on making cross-border rail a more practical alternative to private transport. 

The AVV’s efforts in developing interoperable ticketing systems across borders were of particular interest to all participants.

During their visit to the Euregio Meuse-Rhine, the experts were given an extensive overview of cross-border transport in the region. 

Key stakeholders, including the City of Aachen, the Province of Limburg, Arriva Netherlands, and Go.Rheinland, contributed to the programme. Highlights of the visit included a journey on the Tri-Country Train and a visit to the government building in Maastricht, where participants viewed the Maastricht Treaty, the historic 1992 agreement that laid the foundation for the European Union.

Trams in Liège

As part of the initiative, Minister García Chueca also visited the Belgian transport company Transport En Commun (TEC) in Liège, accompanied by an AVV representative, to examine the construction of a new tram system. This tram, manufactured in the Basque Country by Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), began operations in mid-April. 

The visit was particularly relevant to the Minister, who is actively advancing the expansion of Bilbao‘s tram and underground networks, providing an opportunity for professional exchange on urban rail development.

Decentralisation

The Basque Government‘s growing role in European rail initiatives coincides with its increasing control over its own regional railway network. In January 2025, it assumed responsibility for local commuter rail services from Spain’s central government, part of a broader trend of rail decentralisation across Spain, with other autonomous regions also seeking greater control over their transport systems.

The Aachen workshop marked the second in a series of meetings within the CROSUSMOB project, following an initial event in the Basque Country in October 2024. 

These gatherings serve as platforms for European regions to share best practices and collaborate on policy improvements. The next steps in the project will focus on improving technical compatibility between rail networks, enhancing coordination between different railway operators, and promoting sustainable alternatives to road transport.

 With only 7% of passenger rail traffic in Europe – a statistic from 2021 – currently crossing national borders, initiatives such as CROSUSMOB are crucial in addressing institutional barriers and technical challenges to foster greater rail connectivity across Europe.

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