Flawed Booking Systems Are Preventing Passengers from Travelling by Rail — T&E Analysis

Transport & Environment (T&E) has revealed significant shortcomings in the current rail ticket booking systems across the European Union, which are hindering passengers from easily travelling by train on major international routes. Their analysis of the 30 busiest cross-border air routes within the EU found that on nearly half of these routes, passengers either cannot book a single ticket covering the entire rail journey or can only do so through one operator’s platform. This fragmented system makes it difficult for travellers to plan and purchase seamless rail connections, undermining the potential for rail to serve as a viable alternative to air travel. The research highlights that rail passengers predominantly use the booking engines of their national incumbent operators, yet these platforms rarely sell or even display tickets from competing companies. On 86% of route segments where competition exists, incumbent websites do not offer tickets from new entrants, and on 59%, they do not show these options at all. This lack of transparency limits passengers’ ability to compare prices and find cheaper alternatives, with some operators’ fares, such as those from Renfe, being on average a third more expensive than competitors. The complexity and opacity of booking systems are deterring many travellers, with a YouGov poll commissioned by T&E indicating that 61% of long-distance rail passengers have avoided journeys due to booking difficulties. The findings underscore the urgent need for reform, particularly through the European Commission’s forthcoming Single Ticketing Package, expected to be published in May. T&E calls on the Commission to mandate that major rail operators must both display and sell tickets from other willing operators under fair conditions, and to require independent platforms to do the same. Georgia Whitaker, Rail Campaign Manager at T&E, emphasised that the current ticketing systems are outdated and frustrating for passengers, urging the Commission to simplify rail booking to the ease of purchasing flights. This reform is seen as a crucial step to unlock the full potential of Europe’s rail network and support the continent’s broader climate and mobility goals. If successfully implemented, the Single Ticketing Package could transform the passenger experience by enabling straightforward, integrated ticket purchases for international rail journeys. This would not only increase the attractiveness of rail travel over short-haul flights but also foster greater competition among operators, potentially driving down prices. However, the challenge remains to ensure that all stakeholders cooperate and that the new legislation is robust enough to overcome entrenched national interests and technical barriers in the rail sector. The coming months will be pivotal in shaping the future of European rail travel.