Flixtrain, Trainline, T&E Call For Reduced Rail Tolls To Help Make Train Travel More Accessible

T&E and a coalition of rail operators and ticket vendors are urging EU Member States to reduce rail tolls on night trains, cross-border trains, and some passenger trains

Switching from flying to rail travel can reduce emissions by up to 97% on certain routes. It is crucial to reduce air travel and car usage to combat climate change and adhere to the Paris Agreement’s temperature limits. Shifting to rail travel is one viable solution. The European Commission has set ambitious targets to increase high-speed rail traffic significantly by 2030 and 2050, emphasizing the need for action.

The cost of train tickets is a significant factor in consumer decision-making, largely influenced by rail tolls. Therefore, a collaborative effort involving rail operators, ticket vendors, and civil society is calling on Member States to:

• Lower rail tolls for trains with high capacity, encouraging high passenger loads;
• Reduce rail tolls for night trains and cross-border trains;

This alliance also urges the European Commission to:

• Amend the Single European Railway Area Directive (2012/34/EU) to provide incentives for reduced rail tolls on specified train segments. Existing guidelines may be insufficient, necessitating legislative action to address excessive toll charges.

Download the letter.

Courtesy of T&E.