Unlocking cross-border transportation: navigating challenges to make trains the preferred choice for European cross-border travellers

As the Netherlands approaches a new government and political agenda, we must ask: Are we still on track to make train travel a viable option for (international) travellers by 2030? And, in doing so, advance the goals of green and sustainable transportation in Europe?

This question arises amidst several challenges: a shortage of train personnel, the absence of an integrated European ticketing system, aging infrastructure, and rising train ticket prices.

In this blog, we will explore the current state of international train travel, the obstacles in its way, and offer insights on how trains can become the preferred alternative to short-distance air travel, or even the leading mode of cross-border transport in Europe.

A shift in focus

In 2017, the Dutch government largely overlooked sustainable transport in its coalition agreement. However, the focus on alternatives to airplanes and cars has grown rapidly since. In 2018, Eurostar’s direct train connection between London and Amsterdam sparked enthusiasm among business and political circles, highlighting the demand for business travel by train. By 2019, the ‘Anders Reizen’ coalition’s sustainable travel goals were included in the Dutch Climate Agreement, a widely supported initiative.

Though the COVID-19 pandemic slowed this momentum—since remote work reduced the need for train travel—the 2022 coalition agreement renewed the commitment to improving international train connections for a more sustainable Netherlands.

Despite these ambitions, significant obstacles remain. Today, the situation is not conducive to a major shift from cars and planes to trains. International train delays have increased, infrastructure repair works have multiplied, and affordability issues persist.

Bottlenecks

To get travellers on board with train travel, a behavioural shift is needed. Travellers, whether for business, family visits, or holidays, are inclined to opt for trains if the latter offer them more benefits than other means of transportations. However, in reality, these benefits can be limited. They include factors such as competitive ticket prices, seat availability, comfort, and reliable punctuality. While transportation companies are responsible for pricing and accessibility, the public sector shoulders the responsibility of creating favourable conditions, stability, and transparency within the industry. In the case of our Dutch Railways, it became painfully clear that this mix is not consistently provided to travellers: ticket prices fluctuate upward due to a lack of seats in peak hours, staff to operate or clean the trains is scarce, and anyone who used the train as a mode of transportation in 2023 knows how often trains are delayed or do not run at all…

This lack of political coherence manifests today in several ways:

• The lack of efficient domestic connections to international hubs, especially for those living beyond a 15 km radius from central stations, leads to reliance on infrequent local trains, resulting in a preference for personal transportation methods like airplanes and cars due to reliability concerns. Politics should invest further in last-mile solutions, to extend sustainable ways of transportation to the many.
• Affordability and efficiency issues increase, with international business travellers opting for planes over trains due to cost and speed factors, exacerbated by rising train ticket prices. A lack of unified online ticketing platforms further complicates the situation.
• Economic disparities between airlines and train operators persist despite trains being more eco-friendly. Politicians hesitate to enact policies favouring trains (new VAT regime for plane tickets) and providing better investment conditions for international train operators, hindering the competitiveness of cross-border train routes.
• Governments could also be supporting further collaboration between train and airline operators to foster sustainable transportation. By seamlessly integrating services (long-haul flights, with better European cross-border train connections), travellers can choose between modes for optimal efficiency and reduced carbon emissions. This collaboration could translate by shared resources and infrastructure, ultimately advancing the development of eco-friendly travel options.