Rail passengers have been waiting for this moment for 30 years.
Over the past three decades, the internet has transformed how we buy almost everything. Cross-border rail services have grown. Competition on the tracks has started to emerge in several EU Member States.
Yet the downstream rail ticket sales market remains fragmented along national lines — creating powerful digital gatekeepers and preventing passengers from accessing all rail options.
Passengers deserve full transparency: to see, compare, book and combine reasonable journeys involving all operators. That is what the EU Commission has proposed today through its new rules to make seamless travel across Europe a reality, including the Proposal on Rail Ticketing.
🚦 The momentum is now clear
Across Europe, the direction of travel is becoming unmistakable: passengers should be able to access transparent, multi-operator rail offers through modern, fair and non-discriminatory ticketing channels.
Germany: market-dominant rail platforms must support fair competition
In Germany, the Federal Ministry of Transport’s Agenda to Boost Rail Customer Satisfaction calls for reform of Deutsche Bahn and a more customer-focused rail system. This should include ensuring that the market-dominant rail app and website contribute to a more level playing field.
France: SNCF Connect must open up
In France, the Senate recently voted to require the market-dominant rail app to sell tickets from other rail operators by the end of 2027. ALLRAIL has already welcomed this as a decisive step towards full visibility of all rail options and fair market access for independent operators. Read more in ALLRAIL’s statement on the French Senate vote.
Poland: wider ticket availability is now on the agenda
Earlier this week in Poland, the Ministry of Infrastructure launched a consultation on a new draft national rail transport plan, which explicitly aims to ensure ticket availability through the widest possible sales network. The consultation notice is available on the Polish Ministry of Infrastructure website, with documentation on the Rządowe Centrum Legislacji.
“Today is a proud moment for Europe. This Commission initiative shows the value of the European Union: where national fragmentation blocks progress, Europe can act for citizens. This proposal is a major step towards completing the Single European Rail Area and we look forward to engaging on the policy detail as it moves through the legislative process.”
Media enquiries: info@allrail.org