The European Commission has proposed new rules that would enable passengers to buy a single ticket for cross-border train journeys across multiple operators, aiming to simplify booking and enhance passenger rights. The plan, announced on Wednesday by EU transport commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, seeks to end the current fragmented system that often requires navigating multiple websites.
Simplifying Cross-Border Rail Booking
Under the proposals, major railway companies such as Deutsche Bahn, SNCF, and Trenitalia would be required to sell competitors' tickets on their websites and share data with booking platforms. This would allow passengers to plan, compare, and purchase multimodal journeys across borders with a single click. Tzitzikostas stated that the new era of rail would be operational before the end of the current commission mandate in 2029.
Enhanced Passenger Protections
The rules would also expand consumer protection laws. Passengers would be entitled to assistance in the event of a missed connection, including the right to board the next train, reimbursement, or food and accommodation, depending on the circumstances. The operator causing the delay would be responsible for ensuring these rights.
Opposition from Train Operators
The plans face stiff opposition from rail companies. The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) described the proposals as "unprecedented and unjustified regulatory interventionism." The CER argued that the rail tickets market largely meets customer expectations, citing a Eurobarometer survey where 73% of respondents found it easy to book connecting trains. However, the same survey noted that 43% had not booked such journeys. The railway group also warned that the rules could give too much power to large tech booking platforms, potentially driving up ticket prices through higher distribution fees.
Consumer Groups Welcome the Move
Consumer organizations have welcomed the proposals. Agustín Reyna, head of the European Consumers Organisation, said booking a rail ticket has become too complex and the new rules would make it easier by opening up sales on more platforms. A 2025 YouGov poll across seven European countries found that two-thirds of long-distance rail passengers encountered difficulties buying tickets, and 43% would travel more often if reservations were simpler. A separate university study showed that booking a train took 70% longer than booking a flight.
Expected Impact on Prices and Usage
Tzitzikostas defended the proposals as "100% pragmatic" and predicted that ticket prices would fall due to greater transparency and competition. A Greenpeace study in 2025 found flights cheaper than trains on 54% of 109 cross-border routes, with France, the UK, Spain, and Italy among the most expensive for rail. Austrian Green MEP Lena Schilling highlighted the absurdity of needing "five tabs, three apps and a prayer" to cross EU borders by rail and called for seamless booking, full passenger rights, and open access to ticketing data.
