Simplified cross-border rail travel to become more accessible
Deutsche Bahn to simplify European train travel with unified ticketing system
Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced plans to revolutionize international train travel by implementing a new ticketing system that will enable passengers to purchase tickets for cross-border journeys throughout Europe via the DB Navigator. The Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) aims to unify the currently fragmented system.
The new system, which will become accessible from autumn 2025, will enable passengers to purchase tickets directly from DB for "journeys from all major railways of neighboring countries" via bahn.de and the DB Navigator app, as promised by DB Long-Distance board member Michael Peterson.
Peterson hailed the move, stating that international long-distance travel has been flourishing, with DB recording its strongest year in this area in 2024, posting a growth surge of 22 percent compared to the pre-pandemic year of 2019. The DB initiative follows the introduction of new connections, such as the recent ICE direct service between Berlin and Paris.
However, cross-border train travel in Europe is not without its challenges. Green politician Matthias Gastel, who has intensively focused on the issue, observed that the current system is marred by a lack of integration. Gastel highlighted several problems:
- Requiring multiple tickets for cross-border journeys, necessitating separate purchases.
- Inconsistent passenger rights, leaving travelers without protection in case of missed connecting trains or other issues.
- Technical difficulties with cross-border routes, resulting from factors such as power supply, signaling technology, track width, and language skills of train drivers.
The OSDM aims to address these challenges by facilitating data exchange among European railways, making it possible for customers to use a single platform to purchase tickets for trans-European journeys without losing their entitlement to refunds or replacement journeys.
Initially, partners Austria's ÖBB and Switzerland's SBB will be on board, followed by additional European rail operators who are expected to join in monthly increments. The goal is to achieve near-universal connectivity across Europe by the end of 2026, meaning that passengers will be able to travel between places as distant as Oslo and Athens or Warsaw and Barcelona with effortless ticket bookings.
Train operators and distribution service providers are free to adopt the OSDM standard, with the EU Commission considering further legislative proposals to ensure a uniform digital booking and ticketing service for European travelers. DB customers, however, are anticipated to reap several advantages, including:
- Streamlined purchasing, enabling seamless ticketing for both domestic and international travel.
- Access to a broader range of tickets from international operators, potentially leading to better prices.
- Real-time data exchange, ensuring timely and accurate travel information.
- Direct price information, enhancing transparency and affordability.
- Updates and notifications via mobile phones during the journey, improving the overall travel experience.
- Simplified ticket purchasing for regional transport abroad.
However, concerns have been raised about the EU Commission's plans to prescribe a different standard, potentially conflicting with the OSDM and leading to costly and time-consuming adjustments for rail operators. Peterson, for his part, remains optimistic about the development, expressing agreement with the EU Commission's goals, albeit expressing concerns about the timing of the regulation.
Sources: ntv.de, mau/dpa
- German Rail
- Europe
- Transport Policy
- Consumer Protection
The announcement by Deutsche Bahn (DB) to implement the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) could potentially address issues in community policy regarding cross-border train travel within Europe. This model aims to facilitate data exchange among European railways, enabling a single platform for purchasing tickets for trans-European journeys, which may Streamline the finance aspect of employment policy for railway workers through vocational training programs in technology, as easier ticketing systems would require less time and resources for managing multiple tickets.
