Purchase Railway Tickets Abroad, Similar Process to Aviation - Purchasing train tickets for worldwide journeys, similar to buying airline tickets
Streamlining International Train Travel: The Role of OSDM
A major shift is underway in Europe's rail sector, with the introduction of the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) set to revolutionize international train ticket buying. By integrating rail operators' ticketing systems, OSDM promises a more seamless and efficient travel experience for passengers.
Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's state-owned rail company, is at the forefront of this change. The company aims to directly sell "tickets for all major trains in neighboring countries" through their online platform, bahn.de, and app, DB Navigator, by the end of 2026. DB long-distance traffic board member, Michael Peterson, noted that this move comes in response to the booming demand for international long-distance travel, which saw a growth of 22 percent in 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
However, despite the addition of new connections, such as the ICE direct service between Berlin and Paris, train travel in Europe still faces numerous challenges. Matthias Gastel, a Green politician and member of the railway infrastructure subsidiary InfraGo's supervisory board, points out that Europe does not have an integrated railway network. Buying tickets for cross-border journeys can be cumbersome, with passengers often having to purchase multiple tickets separately. Furthermore, ticket rights such as compensation for missed connections do not typically apply, and tickets from competitors cannot be bought via the railway.
Technical issues also plague cross-border routes, such as power supply, signaling technology, track width, and language skills for train drivers, causing problems when trains traverse national borders.
In an effort to address these challenges, European railways have agreed to adopt the OSDM interface standard. DB manager Peterson likens this to the "language in which European railways and distribution service providers will exchange their data with each other." This will give the DB access to the complete ticket portfolios of relevant railways and vice versa, effectively simplifying international train ticket buying.
The initiative will initially involve Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) and Swiss Federal Railways (SBB), with other partners added gradually. DB expects the system to be implemented across almost all of Europe by the end of 2026.
Meanwhile, the EU Commission has proposed legislation aimed at creating standardized digital booking and ticket services for cross-border travel. According to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, "citizens should be able to use open booking systems to purchase trans-European trips from several providers without losing their right to refund or replacement trips." The EU's proposal aligns with its broader strategy to enhance market integration and simplify services.
DB's Peterson welcomes the EU Commission's goals, but expresses concerns over potential conflicts between the OSDM standard and the EU's proposed regulation, given the company's investment in implementing OSDM.
In conclusion, the implementation of OSDM represents a significant stride towards streamlining international train travel, but challenges remain, particularly in the form of potential conflicts with the EU's proposed regulation.
- The Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM), aimed at integrating rail operators' ticketing systems, can potentially offer EC countries' residents a more seamless and efficient lifestyle, enabling them to effortlessly purchase tickets for trains in neighboring countries, thanks to Deutsche Bahn's ambition to sell "tickets for all major trains in neighboring countries" by the end of 2026.
- As the EU Commission proposed legislation for creating standardized digital booking and ticket services for cross-border travel, the adoption of OSDM interface standard by European railways and the gradual implementation of this system across almost all of Europe by the end of 2026, could pave the way for improved finance management, as travelers may enjoy the freedom to compare and buy tickets from various providers, thereby leveraging technology for more affordable and flexible travel options within the EC.
