European Rail Operators: The Struggle for Affordability and Reliability

A recent study by Transport and Environment (T&E) has ranked 27 European rail operators, shedding light on the strengths and weaknesses across the continent. The Deutsche Bahn (DB) finds itself in the middle tier, mainly due to poor punctuality, where it ranks 25th. However, its booking system is highly rated, coming second only to the Swiss SBB.

In terms of ticket pricing, the German operator Flixtrain leads, while DB lags at 19th place. High fares are identified as a major barrier to increased rail use, with Eurostar exemplifying this issue by ranking last despite charging double the European average. Special tariffs for families and vulnerable groups could enhance rail's appeal, a strategy successfully employed by operators such as BDZ from Bulgaria and Italy's Trenitalia, which tops the overall ranking.

The study highlights that high prices do not equate to high service quality. Eurostar, for instance, has both high fares and low reliability. T&E urges countries to invest more in the rail network and reduce operator fees to offer more competitive ticket prices. The organization also emphasizes the need for rail to compete more equally with air travel, advocating for increased aviation taxes to level the playing field.

Trenitalia excels by offering a superior booking experience and attractive on-board services, including night trains on 15 routes. In contrast, Spain's Renfe, despite being the third most punctual, is criticized for its lack of advanced booking options and restrictions on bicycle transport.

Overall, the report underscores the need for improvements in reliability and affordability to make rail a more viable and attractive mode of transportation across Europe.