International Rail Passenger Services – The Status Quo Is Not an Option!
The ticket vendors and distributors welcome the sector statement signed by all rail stakeholder organisations today to promote the development of international rail passenger services
Brussels, 30 March 2021: Yesterday marked the official start of the European Year of Rail, putting focus on rail as one of the most sustainable, innovative and safest transport modes. Member States presented the report of the Platform on International Rail Passenger Transport. The latter supports a European agenda on international rail passenger services. One of the intentions is to discuss necessary actions with sector representatives, and to deliver a report with recommendations to the Ministers of Transport by mid-2021.
Today, the European Rail Sector stakeholders issued a Sector Statement supporting the important work of the International Rail Passenger Platform.
The sector commits to contributing to the ongoing work of the Platform and to advise on the way forward for a European agenda for the development of international rail passenger services. The status quo is not an option: the international transport systems of Europe need to be adapted to face the challenges of the ongoing and accelerating climate crisis. An interconnected and competitive network of rail passenger services will underpin the economic, social, and environmental sustainability of the continent. With this Sector Statement, the rail sector wishes to underline certain commitments and needs in order to develop the international rail passenger network and services and make the Single European Rail Area a reality.
ECTAA and eu travel tech are part of the platform work and have signed the Sector Statement. The two associations are closely involved in the work on improving customer experience and digitalisation.
“Ticket vendors and distributors can play an important role in helping customers plan, search and book tickets for international rail transport services, including domestic services (urban, regional, long-distance), across different rail operators and thus make rail more attractive to citizens.” says Pawel Niewiadomski, President of ECTAA.
“To make rail more attractive, ticket vendors need access to rail content on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, subject to a license agreement.” says Emmanuel Mounier, Secretary General of eu travel tech.
For more information, please contact:
Mr Emmanuel Mounier, Secretary General, eu travel tech
M. : +32 499 80 13 74 / e-mail : emounier@eutraveltech.eu
Mr Eric Drésin, Secretary General
ECTAA – Group of National Travel Agents’ and Tour Operators’ Associations within the EU
Office tel: +32 2 644 34 50 / e-mail: edresin@ectaa.eu
Download the full press release below.
