The European Commission presented its long-awaited package on cross-border rail transport. The Green/EFA Group have long called on the Commission to finally lay the groundwork for a truly European rail ticketing system.
Kai Tegethoff, Volt MEP and member of the Transport committee, comments: “If the Commission’s proposal is truly intended to make a difference, it needs clear minimum obligations: operators must be obligated to share their data with competitors so that travelers don’t have to painstakingly piece information together. Today, people live, work, and travel across borders—and purely national railway companies have evolved into international corporations. It is time for our legislation to reflect that. Cross-platform ticket sales must be made possible through fair access and fair negotiations. If it is one journey, it must be one ticket.”
Lena Schilling, Greens/EFA MEP and member of the Transport committee, comments: “Why does crossing EU borders by rail still require five tabs, three apps, and a prayer? Taking a train in Europe should be as easy as booking a flight. We have been discussing proposals like this for 16 years. It is good that the Commission is finally putting something on the table because the current system is outdated and no longer meets people’s needs. In the end, this is about whether people can actually choose the train without stress, without risk, and without spending hours researching connections. Passengers need clear rights no matter where they are travelling in Europe.
“This proposal now needs to deliver on three key points: seamless cross-border booking across Europe, full passenger rights and clear liability for the entire journey, and open access to ticketing data so travellers can book on the platform of their choice. We must put travellers at the centre, overcome national fragmentation, and finally complete the single market for rail transport. Now we need to get to work so that, as quickly as possible, people across Europe can finally say: one continent, one ticket.”
