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EU Unveils One‑Stop Cross‑Border Rail Booking Plan

The proposal would force dominant rail firms to share tickets and data so passengers can compare prices on one platform.

Overview

  • The European Commission, which presented the draft on Wednesday, proposes a single ticket that covers trips across multiple rail operators in one purchase.
  • Companies with at least 50% market share in a country would have to open their online ticketing and data to rivals that request access.
  • Passengers using a single ticket on multi‑operator journeys would gain stronger rights that include help for missed connections, rebooking, refunds and compensation.
  • National rail incumbents and their lobby group object to being required to sell competitors’ tickets, with the CER calling the plan unprecedented interference.
  • The text now goes to EU governments and the European Parliament for debate, with backers framing it as a way to shift more short‑haul travel from planes to trains.