Petition to Restore the Sud Express Between Portugal, Spain and France

The historic Sud Express, first launched in 1887, connected Portugal to France and the rest of Europe for more than a century. Suspended in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has never been restored, despite the return of international travel and growing demand for sustainable transport. Authorities have pointed to operational and economic challenges, but the result has been to leave travellers with little choice but to fly.

This is environmentally irresponsible and not in accordance with Europe's commitment to reduce emissions and promote rail travel.

Thousands of people travel regularly between Portugal and Paris every year, myself included, between Porto and Paris. Most would gladly choose a comfortable overnight train instead of another short-haul flight with stressful airports. The Sud Express offered a more relaxed, productive, and humane way to travel, allowing passengers to sleep, work, and avoid the stress, restrictions, and environmental impact of air travel.

We ask for the governments of Portugal, Spain, and France, together with the relevant railway operators, to restore the Sud Express and give citizens a practical, comfortable, and sustainable rail connection between Portugal and France once again. This is real progress, not endless flights dependent on cheap oil.