BRUSSELS, (Unib Rashid) – Travelling by train across Europe could soon become simpler, more transparent and better protected for passengers as the European Commission has proposed new rules aimed at making journey planning and ticket booking easier, particularly for cross-border trips involving multiple rail operators.

According to the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport, the three proposals are designed to facilitate seamless travel across Europe by improving access to travel information, simplifying booking procedures and strengthening passenger rights on regional, long-distance and cross-border journeys.

At present, passengers in the European Union can face difficulties when comparing available travel options and choosing the most sustainable mode of transport, particularly when a journey involves several rail operators or crosses national borders.

Booking a journey made up of different train services can be complicated because ticketing systems remain fragmented, while the strong market position of some rail companies can make it difficult for passengers to access and compare competing offers.

The European Commission said its latest proposals seek to address these barriers by enabling passengers to search, compare and purchase services from different rail operators through a single ticket and a single transaction.

The ticket could be purchased through a platform of the passenger’s choice, whether an independent ticketing platform or a rail operator’s own ticketing service.

Greater Protection When Connections Are Missed

One of the key elements of the proposed rules is stronger protection for passengers travelling on a single ticket involving multiple rail operators.

If a passenger misses a connection during a multi-operator rail journey, they would benefit from enhanced passenger rights, including assistance, rerouting, reimbursement and compensation, where applicable.

The Commission also proposes new obligations for ticketing platforms and transport operators to ensure fair access to ticket sales and the neutral presentation of available travel options.

Ticketing platforms would be required to display offers in an impartial manner and, where possible, provide information allowing passengers to compare journeys according to their greenhouse-gas emissions.

The proposed rules would also seek to ensure that transport operators can enter into fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory commercial agreements with ticketing platforms.

EU Seeks Greener and More Connected Travel

The European Commission said the measures are part of efforts to create a smoother travel experience for passengers while supporting the European Union’s climate objectives.

By making rail journeys easier to plan and book, particularly across national borders, the proposals aim to make rail a more accessible and attractive option for travellers looking for sustainable alternatives.

The Commission has also adopted an implementation report on the EU Rail Passengers’ Rights Regulation, highlighting progress made since June 2023.

According to the report, member states have strengthened passenger protections, including clearer rules on bicycle carriage and improved passenger information, while reducing exemptions from passenger-rights provisions.

However, the report also identifies continuing challenges, particularly the limited availability of tickets for cross-border journeys involving multiple rail operators.

The European Commission’s proposals are expected to contribute to a more integrated European rail market, giving passengers greater choice, easier booking and stronger protection throughout their journeys.