TRAVELLING across Europe by train is set to become significantly simpler after the European Commission unveiled plans for a ‘one journey, one ticket’ system.
The new rules allow passengers to book international rail trips through a single platform, even with multiple operators involved.
At the moment, cross-border journeys such as Barcelona to Berlin often require separate tickets from different rail companies.
This confuses passengers and leaves them with limited protection if they miss connections.
The Commission says this fragmentation discourages rail travel and makes it harder to choose trains over flights for long-distance European trips.
Under the new proposals, passengers would be able to buy combined journeys in one transaction through a single booking platform.
This could be operated by a national railway operator or an independent service.
If implemented, the system would also ensure full passenger rights for the entire journey.
Passengers who miss connections due to delays will receive assistance, rerouting, reimbursement and compensation.
The EU also wants ticketing platforms to show options in a neutral way.
Where possible, they should include information on greenhouse gas emissions so travellers can choose greener routes more easily.
EU officials say the reforms are about both transport and integration.
Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism Apostolos Tzitzikostas said the goal is to let Europeans ‘plan, compare and purchase multimodal journeys across borders’ in one click.
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He added that ‘the changes strengthen cohesion by reducing barriers between regions’.
Raffaele Fitto, Executive Vice-President for Cohesion and Reforms, said the move would ‘help improve the European rail network’.
The proposals still need approval from the European Parliament and member states before becoming law.
If adopted, they could make long-distance rail travel across Europe significantly easier and more reliable.
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