Press releases
Ban flights on European routes that trains can reach in 4 hours or less and when there are night trains
earlier this month, France banned domestic flights on routes where passengers can complete the same journey by train in under 2 ½ hours. This is welcome indeed – France must be commended! But 2 ½ hours is not enough to cover all high speed rail journeys within the country. And why not apply the same measure to cross-border rail journeys as well? Last but not least, what about a similar measure to grow night trains?
Incumbent cross-border rail freight cartel is exposed This must be prevented in EU passenger rail
This week, a cross-border cartel between the state rail incumbents ÖBB, DB & SNCB was exposed. According to the EU Commission, they colluded to protect their business, harming sustainable transport. This example demonstrates the great deal of harm that incumbent cross-border collaborations can do to long distance passenger rail as well. Rather than being exempt from competition law, such cartels must be strictly prevented.
Two More New Cross-Border Night Trains that will “Connect Europe” and lead to higher demand for rail
Yesterday it was announced that there will be two more new EU cross-border Open Access night trains 1. One of them will even link four capital cities during the same night: Brussels, Amsterdam, Berlin & Prague. They will both provide night train services that do not yet exist.
YouTube Video: EU Year of Rail 2021 - The Future of Passenger Rail
Sector Stakeholder Statement on International Rail Passenger Services
On behalf of the Sector Mirror Group, consisting of representatives of railway undertakings (CER/ALLRAIL/UIC/CIT), infrastructure managers (EIM/CER/UIC), railway suppliers (UNIFE), passenger and consumers’ organisations (EPF/BEUC), travel companies (EU Travel Tech/ECTAA) and distributors (EU Travel Tech/ALLRAIL), the co-chairs wish to make the following announcement.
EU Year of Rail Kick-off in Lisbon with new long distance Open Access rail in Portugal & Europe
LISBON, March 29th 2021: today is the Kick-off event for the EU Year of Rail 2021.
In order to celebrate this, ALLRAIL is pleased to highlight the growing number of privately owned passenger rail operators investing in NEW long distance Open Access services. These will lead to modal shift in Europe. For example:
SNCF is asking for up to €585 million state aid for Eurostar while spending €600 million on new operator
There must be strict competition remedies. SNCF should not receive state aid without conditions in one place while expanding unchecked elsewhere.
COVID-19 in Sweden: the discrimination against long distance passenger rail must end
Despite being the country of Greta Thunberg, Sweden continues to treat airlines better during the current pandemic.
COVID-19: Yes to financial aid for Eurostar but STOP the SCRAPPING !!
At the end of last week, there were reports that the governments of the United Kingdom and France will provide COVID-19 financial aid to Eurostar, the only passenger rail operator between these two countries. If Eurostar is to be helped financially, then two things are a sheer must:
COVID-19 : oui à une aide financière pour Eurostar Mais stop à la casse !
À la fin de la semaine dernière , la nouvelle a circulé que dans le cadre COVID-19, les gouvernements du Royaume-Uni et de la France aideraient financièrement Eurostar, l’unique opérateur ferroviaire voyageurs transmanche. Si Eurostar se doit d’être aidé financièrement, deux conditions sont indispensables:
Is Europe Facing the Re-Monopolisation of Passenger Rail?
At the end of last week, the EU Commission’s Transport Directorate published its Rail Market Monitoring Report (RMMS) Number 7.
For passenger rail, the results are a climate disaster: just 7.8 % market share of all land-based passenger traffic. Meanwhile, the market share of truly independent, privately owned operators is only about 7 %.
Multimodal platform FromAtoB closes down: the market dominant rail incumbents are succeeding in killing off the independent ticketing market
Twelve years ago, the independent multimodal booking platform “FromAtoB” was founded. Based in Berlin, it understood that people need door-to-door digital booking solutions combining different multimodal operators. This is one of the best ways to rival the convenience of the private motor car.
PORTUGAL: What a disappointing start to the EU Year of Rail 2021
Since 2011, the gradual opening of the EU Single Rail Market has benefited users, taxpayers & the environment. Evidence shows this has led to an increased number of rail travellers – sometimes by more than 100% in just five years. This has boosted regional economies while reducing the carbon footprint.
PORTUGAL: Que começo decepcionante do Ano Europeu do Transporte Ferroviário 2021 !
Desde 2011, a abertura gradual do mercado único ferroviário da UE tem beneficiado os utilizadores, os contribuintes e o ambiente. As provas mostram que isto levou a um aumento do número de passageiros ferroviários - por vezes em mais de 100% em apenas cinco anos. Isto impulsionou as economias regionais ao mesmo tempo que reduziu a pegada de carbono.
GERMANY: Blaming the EU Commission is wrong: Instead the federal government should notify state aid for DB fast
The independent transport group FlixMobility has formally complained to the EU Commission about the proposed unilateral state aid for the German rail incumbent Deutsche Bahn AG (´DB´). ALLRAIL and mofair, the independent passenger rail company associations at the European and German level respectively, strongly support this.
European cross-border night trains: four questions to the four governments
ALLRAIL believes that night trains can make a great comeback, as a sustainable alternative to late night & early morning flights. Several initiatives have shown how new entrant operators have contributed to this in a major way. Today, four European governments – Switzerland, France, Austria & Germany – announced that they want to promote a cross-border night train network. This is good, but it is important that new entrant operators can be fully involved.
NETHERLANDS: Civil Court confirms doubts on legitimacy of proposed direct award to NS
The Dutch Civil Court of The Hague published a preliminary ruling this week, expressing doubts about the legitimacy of the proposed new direct award of the Dutch “Hoofdrailnet” (Main Rail Network) Public Service Contract – representing 95% of the total market – to the state rail incumbent Nederlandse Spoorwegen (‘NS’).
ALLRAIL welcomes EU Commission announcement in the case of alleged predatory pricing against rail newcomers
Executive Vice-President of the EU Commission Mrs. Margrethe Vestager announced today that she is sending out a Statement of Objections against the Czech state-owned rail incumbent Czech Railways (České dráhy) for alleged predatory pricing.
ALLRAIL vítá oznámení Evropské komise ve věci Českých drah a kauzy predátorských cen
Výkonná místopředsedkyně Evropské komise Margrethe Vestager dnes oznámila zaslání sdělení výhrad českému státem vlastněnému dopravci České dráhy za údajné predátorské ceny.
There is no need for another ‘EU Railscanner’ concept. It has been existing for years!
In recent months, many EU stakeholders have called for setting up an 'EU Railscanner' digital platform, where all available rail options can be found. There is no need for a 10th impartial digital rail platform. Nine already exist!
ALLRAIL ON-LINE PRESS CONFERENCE (23rd September) – PASSENGER RAIL FACING THE SECOND WAVE OF COVID-19
Fair competition in the rail sector is crucial to securing EU climate change goals and sustainable recovery
Panelists: Erich Forster, President ALLRAIL & CEO WESTbahn
Christian Schreyer, Vice-President ALLRAIL & Transdev CEO for North & Central Europe
Nick Brooks, Secretary General ALLRAIL
Podcast: ALLRAIL members on The Comeback of Night Trains in Europe
• Aleš Ondrůj, Senior Director Communications, RegioJet
• Carl Adam Holmberg, Head of Snälltåget
• Nick Brooks, Secretary General ALLRAIL
• Barbora Mičková, Policy Officer ALLRAIL
-> Recorded 17th June 2020
Links:
• YouTube
• Podcast (Spotify)
Podcast: Passenger rail after COVID-19: Update from the Member States, YouTube & Podcast discussion
After COVID-19 webinar in April 2020 ALLRAIL issued a discussion on YouTube and Podcast channels.
First episode on the impact of COVID-19 on our members:
• YouTube - Key points (10min.)
• YouTube Full version (50min.)
• Podcast (Spotify)
• Podcast (Apple)
• Podcast (Google)
ALLRAIL presentation on international passenger rail transport: How to stimulate international passenger rail?
Arthur Kamminga presented ALLRAIL vision on the topic of "How to stimulate international passenger rail?" at the Hearing on European support for international passenger rail transport at the Commission for Mobility of the Belgian House of Representatives, taking place on 17th December 2019 at the Chamber of Representatives of Belgium.
VRT: Eurostar. Ce que les concurrents reprochent à la SNCF
Les opérateurs ferroviaires européens réunis au sein de l’association Allrail réagissent à la demande d’un soutien public formulée par la SNCF pour sa filiale Eurostar en très mauvaise posture avec la chute du trafic liée à la pandémie. Le secrétaire général de Allrail, Nick Brooks, explique à VRT la position de son association qui réclame notamment la possibilité d’accéder aux rames TGV d’occasion de la SNCF si Eurostar obtient une aide publique.
Le Figaro: Des opérateurs alternatifs réclament l’accès aux rames TGV d’occasion de la SNCF
«Allrail est favorable aux aides d'État pour aider Eurostar, mais il doit y avoir des mesures correctives strictes en matière de concurrence. Par exemple, la SNCF doit donner aux opérateurs indépendants un accès égal à ses rames TGV et Eurostar d'occasion, -comme celles qu'elle fournit à sa filiale Ouigo- à des conditions commerciales équitables, raisonnables et non discriminatoires», a déclaré le groupement dans un communiqué. «La SNCF ne doit pas recevoir des aides d'État sans aucune condition à un endroit et se développer sans contrôle ailleurs», ont ajouté les opérateurs alternatifs.
Rail Insider: Eurostar emergency funding – French and/or British?
... This raises the question of state-owned companies using state money to finance operations in other countries. Requesting aid from the British and French governments has freed up the cash for SNCF to compete with Spanish state-owned operator Renfe in its own country. If the UK and French treasuries don’t play ball, will SNCF let Eurostar go bust while it spend the much-needed funds in launching Ouigo España?
Tangent magazine: Eurostar Bailout: calls for market opening remedies which support on-rail competition
Taxpayer subsidiaries are expected to top over £10bn by the end of 2021. Nick Brooks, secretary general of Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants in Europe (ALLRAIL), explained: “We believe that in this crisis all operators, at least in the same country, should be treated the same fair and equal way.”
Link to the original article->
Railway Gazette: Call for Eurostar trains to be made available to support on-rail competition
The ALLRAIL association of new entrants to the rail market has said any government support which might be offered to Eurostar during the coronavirus pandemic should be accompanied by conditions designed to facilitate cross-Channel competition.
The Telegraph: Eurostar bailout should trigger more rail support, say operators
Allrail said: “Rail traffic between the two countries is run on a commercially driven open access business model. If the UK Government wants to give Covid-19 financial aid, then all other long distance open access passenger rail operators in the country such as Hull Trains, must also be supported.”
Ник Брукс: Не знаю примеров в Европе, где грузовые операторы субсидируют пассажирские перевозки
Украинские железные дороги имеют большой потенциал, но однозначно нуждаются в реформе. К реформам "Укразализныци" Украину призывает и Европейские Союз. Глава ALLRail – международной организации пассажирского транспорта в Европе, Ник Брукс рассказал о том, как железные дороги реформировали в Европе и какой опыт может позаимствовать Украина.
Railway Gazette: Call for booking platforms to be given access to train operators’ data
EUROPE: The ALLRAIL association of independent passenger train operators and retailers has called on EU member states to ensure that market-dominant incumbent operators share their data with third party journey planning and ticket selling platforms.
Railway Gazette: Passenger groups raise concerns about EU passenger rights recast
...ALLRAIL believed that the agreement could lead to further erosion of the availability of through tickets. Mandatory through ticketing with liability for any delay compensation lying with the causer of that delay would have been the ‘fairest and most effective way’ to improve performance, it said, suggesting that making passenger rail travel more attractive would generate additional revenue outweighing the potential cost of compensation.
IRJ: AllRail calls for balanced state support as Covid-19 hits private operators
The Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants (AllRail) has called for zero track access fees, backdated to March and running until the end of 2021, along with government subsidies to cover losses for all passenger rail operators and ticket vendors for 18 months, beginning in October.
POLITICO: Why Europe’s rail renaissance risks running out of steam
Next summer, Czech operator RegioJet intends to expand its five-country night train running from Prague to the Croatian coast, while Flixtrain has mulled offering its own sleepers in France.The Swedish government has pledged to fund a night train to Brussels from 2022, but in parallel Snälltåget, a private company, is promising to increase its own service next year on the Stockholm to Berlin route. Snälltåget’s manager Carl Adam Holmberg says policymakers can do more to help out the industry by reducing track access charges — the fixed per kilometer fee for using the track — rather than just looking to subsidize routes by big state players.
Handelsblatt: Gewinner statt Krisenverlierer: Reise-Start-up Omio sammelt 100 Millionen Dollar ein
.... „Die Lage ist sehr ernst. Die Marktöffnung selbst, die bei andere Verkehrsträger beflügelt hat, ist bei der Eisenbahn ernsthaft in Gefahr“, sagt Allrail-Generalsekretär Nick Brooks. Allrail ist ein Zusammenschluss junger Unternehmen, die sich als Konkurrenten der ehemaligen Staatsbahnen im Güter- und Personenverkehr verstehen.
N-TV.de: Investoren glauben an Omio Reise-Startup sichert sich Rekordsumme
.... Gemeinsam mit anderen europäischen Mobilitäts-Startups hat sich Omio bei der EU-Kommission erst kürzlich über staatliche Corona-Hilfen für die Deutsche Bahn und andere Staatsbahnen beschwert. "Wir befürchten, dass die Covid-19-Maßnahmen nur staatlichen Eisenbahnen helfen, den Markt weiter verzerren und das Wachstum bei Wettbewerbern unumkehrbar und langfristig limitieren", schrieb die Lobbygruppe Allrail in einem Brief an Vize-Kommissionspräsidentin Margrethe Vestager.
Eurail press: Nick Brooks: Privater Fernverkehr ist ausgebremst
Nick Brooks ist Generalsekretär des Lobby-Verbandes Allrail mit Sitz in Brüssel, der sich auf europäischer Ebene für die Etablierung privater Unternehmen im Schienenpersonenverkehr einsetzt.
The Guardian: ‘People don’t want to fly’: Covid-19 reawakens Europe’s sleeper trains
Nick Brooks The Guardian:....governments should also prohibit airlines receiving state bailouts from operating any short-haul or late-night flights that could be done by train. “This pandemic must lead to a better appreciation for rail,” he said.
Rynek Kolejowy: Niemcy dotują DB, zamiast liberalizować rynek? Flixtrain rozważa skargę do ETS
Udzielone DB państwowe finansowanie dla zakupu taboru dużych prędkości przyczyni się do utrwalenia obecnej struktury rynku. Konkurowanie z dominującym graczem stanie się jeszcze bardziej utrudnione – ostrzega przewodniczący stowarzyszenia europejskich niezależnych przewoźników pasażerskich AllRail. W jego opinii Niemcy tracą w ten sposób dobrą okazję do otwarcia rynku przewozów dalekobieżnych.
IRJ: FlixTrain calls for action over DB rescue package
International Railway Journal: FlixTrain calls for action over DB rescue package. The CEO and co-founder of FlixTrain parent FlixBus, Mr André Schwämmlein, has written to the European commissioner for competition, Ms Margrethe Vestager, calling for measures to balance competition in the German rail market.
International Railway Journal: ALLRAIL forecasts €540m hit for private passenger rail operators
Alliance of Passenger Rail New Entrants says its members are facing huge drops in passenger numbers and revenue due to the coronavirus pandemic. Written by David Briginshaw, International Railway Journal.
Railway Gazette International: Westbahn and ÖBB awarded public service contracts to secure operations during the pandemic
Both Austrian Federal Railways and open access competitor Westbahn have been awarded emergency public service obligation contracts to ensure the continued operation of Wien – Salzburg trains during the coronavirus pandemic, in a move which the ALLRAIL association of new market entrants said should provide a model for the rest of Europe.
