Europe’s rail operators ranked « Euro Weekly News
Eurostar train. Credit: Pexels, Zenith
A report by Transport & Environment (T&E) on December 9, 2024, highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Europe’s rail operators, ranking 27 companies based on eight consumer-focused criteria.
The study highlights the urgent need for improvements to make rail services a competitive alternative to air and road travel.
Best performers in EU rail services
Trenitalia (Italy), SBB (Switzerland), and RegioJet (Czech Republic) are ranked as the best performers overall.
Germany’s Flixtrain, France’s Ouigo, and RegioJet offer the most cost-effective fares. In contrast, Eurostar and Great Western Railway (GWR) were deemed the most expensive.
Swiss SBB leads in reliability, followed by Belgium’s SNCB and Spain’s Renfe.
SBB, Deutsche Bahn (Germany), and ÖBB (Austria) provide the most seamless booking experiences.
Railway pricing in the EU
The high cost of rail travel remains a significant barrier for consumers. According to T&E, train journeys are, on average, twice as expensive as flights for comparable routes.
However, high ticket prices do not necessarily translate into better service quality. For example, Eurostar, one of the most expensive operators, scored a mediocre 4.7 for non-pricing criteria.
T&E’s report emphasises that operators alone cannot resolve all issues, as factors like VAT, rail tolls, and infrastructure quality fall under the jurisdiction of national governments. To address these challenges, T&E has outlined several recommendations:
- Reduce VAT on train tickets and rail tolls to lower consumer costs.
- Invest in better infrastructure, including maintenance and digital upgrades, to improve reliability.
- Standardise passenger rights, mandating compensation for delays over 15 minutes and full refunds for delays exceeding 60 minutes.
- Offer special fares targeted at families, youth, and regular commuters.
- Expand ticket availability, allowing bookings at least six months in advance.
- Enhance onboard services, such as Wi-Fi, catering, and comfortable seating, to improve the traveller experience.
T&E concluded: “The potential for rail to become the backbone of sustainable travel in Europe is enormous, but unlocking it requires a shared effort from operators, governments, and the EU.”
For a full breakdown of the rankings and detailed recommendations, visit Transport & Environment.
