The State of European Rail: A Comprehensive Assessment
A recent report by Transport & Environment (T&E) has shed light on the current state of European rail services, revealing a mixed bag of successes and shortcomings. The study evaluated 27 rail operators across the continent based on eight key criteria: ticket prices, special fares and reductions, reliability, booking experience, compensation policies, traveler experience, night trains, and cycling policy. The results highlight the need for significant improvements to enhance the accessibility, affordability, and overall quality of rail travel throughout Europe.
The report identified Italy’s Trenitalia as the top performer, earning an average score of 7.7 out of 10. Trenitalia excelled in the traveler experience category, demonstrating a commitment to passenger comfort and satisfaction. Switzerland’s SBB followed closely with a score of 7.4, praised for its exceptional punctuality. Czechia’s RegioJet also achieved a 7.4 rating, showcasing its commitment to affordable ticket prices, making rail travel accessible to a wider range of passengers.
Conversely, Eurostar landed at the bottom of the ranking with a score of 4.9, primarily due to its high ticket prices and reliability issues. The report found Eurostar’s fares to be significantly higher than other European operators for comparable distances. Greece’s Hellenic Train and France’s Ouigo also received low scores, indicating areas for improvement in their respective services. Eurostar, however, disputed the findings, citing recent changes in booking procedures, cycling policies, and discounted fare options. They maintained that their refund practices prioritize customer choice and expressed confidence in improved scores if the survey were repeated.
Reliability and ease of booking emerged as critical factors in the overall evaluation. Switzerland’s SBB led in reliability, alongside Belgium’s SNCB and Spain’s Renfe. SBB also topped the list for booking experience, followed by Deutsche Bahn and Austria’s ÖBB. However, the report revealed that only 11 of the 27 operators achieved punctuality rates exceeding 80%, highlighting inconsistencies in service reliability across the continent. Germany’s Deutsche Bahn, Portugal’s CP, and Sweden’s Snälltåget ranked lowest for reliability.
Ticket prices varied considerably across operators, with UK rail services identified as particularly expensive. Great Western Railway emerged as the priciest, with fares two and a half times higher than the average EU/Swiss operator. Eurostar followed as the second most expensive, with fares double the average, and Avanti West Coast ranked third. In contrast, Germany’s Flixtrain stood out as the most affordable option, four times cheaper than its primary competitor, Deutsche Bahn. Ouigo and RegioJet also offered competitive pricing. The report underscored that higher prices did not necessarily equate to better service, with ÖBB and Trenitalia demonstrating excellent price-to-quality ratios while Eurostar and Avanti offered subpar services despite high fares.
The report emphasized the importance of affordability in making rail travel accessible to all Europeans. Research by McKinsey revealed that price is a primary factor for 49% of people when choosing transportation, while Europe on Rail found that 73% believe rail travel should be cheaper than air travel for the same routes. T&E called for a shared responsibility between the rail industry and governments to address high ticket prices. Operators were urged to implement customer-friendly fares while Member States and the EU were encouraged to promote fair competition and lower rail tolls.
Promisingly, the EU is taking steps to improve the European rail landscape. The Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation, a commitment championed by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, aims to simplify cross-border train bookings and ensure passenger rights. This initiative, along with the rollout of the European standard for command and control system ERTMS, promises to enhance reliability, capacity, and punctuality. These developments offer a glimmer of hope for a more integrated and efficient European rail network. The success of these initiatives hinges on sustained commitment from both the industry and governing bodies to prioritize passenger needs and invest in the necessary infrastructure and technologies.
