Streamlined Global Rail Travel Set for Implementation
Starting this autumn, passengers will find it easier to purchase tickets for cross-border train journeys throughout Europe, as Deutsche Bahn (DB) has announced it will be connected to a unifying technical interface by the end of 2026. This innovation is a significant challenge, given the highly complex IT system involved, reports DB's board member responsible for long-distance travel, Michael Peterson.
In the coming year, the state-owned company expects to see booming international long-distance traffic, following a growth of 22 percent compared to the pre-Corona year 2019. DB has been adding new connections to its portfolio, such as the recent ICE direct connection between Berlin and Paris. Despite these positive developments, there are still numerous problems with train travel in Europe, as stated by Matthias Gastel, a Green politician and member of the German Bundestag.
For cross-border journeys, multiple tickets are often required, which have to be purchased individually. This inconvenience is compounded by the fact that passenger rights, such as in the event of a missed connecting train or delayed travel, do not apply when purchasing from competitors such as Flix, according to Gastel. Additionally, technical problems with cross-border routes frequently arise, including issues related to power supply, signaling technology, track width, and language proficiency among train drivers.
However, European railways have agreed to introduce the OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model) interface standard, which will enable DB to access the entire ticket portfolio of corresponding railways and vice versa.Initially, this will apply to the Austrian and Swiss federal railways ÖBB and SBB from autumn 2025, with additional partners being added gradually. Passengers can expect a smoother booking process, direct price information, the ability to access and combine cheap ticket options from other railways, and real-time travel updates via their mobile phones.
Critics (Wilken and Gastel) have pointed out that there are still too few connections and that the implementation process is slow and complicated. The EU Commission shares these concerns and plans to present a legislative proposal to ensure European citizens can easily purchase trans-European trips with multiple providers and exercise their passenger rights for the entire journey. DB CEO Peterson welcomes the EU Commission's initiative, expressing confidence in shared goals. However, he expresses concern about potential delays in implementing the necessary standards given DB's previous investments in OSDM technology.
A recent study has shown that the railway network's construction costs have been inflated due to state funding, raising concerns about efficient use of resources and passenger affordability.
- Related Topics: Deutsche Bahn, European Transport Policy, Consumer Protection
- DB's CEO, Michael Peterson, has expressed concern about potential delays in implementing the OSDM standards, given the company's previous investments in the technology, within the context of the EU Commission's initiative for a unified European rail travel system.
- The introduction of the OSDM interface standard is expected to allow DB to access the entire ticket portfolio of corresponding railways and vice versa, paving the way for a smoother booking process, direct price information, and real-time travel updates via mobile phones.
- Critics, including Wilken and Matthias Gastel, have raised concerns about the slow and complicated implementation process, as well as the lack of sufficient connections within the European rail network.
- A recent study has highlighted the issue of inflated construction costs for the railway network, due to state funding, raising concerns about the efficient use of resources and passenger affordability in the context of community policy and European transport.
