To ensure smooth cross-border traffic, it is crucial to apply the same processes throughout Europe when train operators apply for a cross border train path. If that is made more easy it will support a modal shift to rail. The European Commission has taken an initiative and proposed a Regulation. At the plenary session 13.3.2024, the European Parliament took the next step into providing the right legal framework for a thorough implementation.
Rapporteur at the EU Parliament Tilly Metz summarised: “This new regulation will allow for more optimal use of the rail tracks so that we can get more trains on the tracks. Train passengers will benefit from an increase of punctuality and reliability and it will become easier for shippers to use rail transport for their goods. […] With this proposal we can start to move from a patchwork of networks to a seamless European railway network.”
Capacity Regulation will definitely impact capacity allocation for all rail transport in Europe, including night trains.
We asked Lukas del Guidice from the Swiss based Forum Train Europe (FTE) how he could explain the benefits of this new regulation:
In my opinion, the following aspects are particularly interesting for night trains, he said:
1) For stable traffic such as night trains, a final confirmation of the timetable should take place at an earlier point in time. This means that tickets, for example for Christmas traffic right after the timetable change, can be sold earlier. In this way, you catch up with other modes of transport such as airplanes and long-distance buses.
2) A multi-year allocation of route capacity should be supported for up to 3 years through the element of “rolling planning”. This creates better planning security for night train providers, as they can rely on allocating a route in the same “capacity band” for the 3 years received This can also have a positive impact on the financing of the rolling stock, e.g. by providing a certain level of protection for the business plan against lenders.
3) If more applicants apply for routes than there is capacity available, these conflicts should ultimately be resolved by using socio-economic criteria if conciliatory coordination is not successful. This means that the transport should be awarded the contract that brings the greatest benefit to society, for example through modal shift.
Just some thoughts from a fairly ignorant traveller: From the explanatory statement in european parliament legislative resolution I gather this may lead to an improvement in capacity of 4%. For someone who isn’t into the details and doesn’t train internationally a lot yet, but welcomes more affordable and easier to book transnational trains throughout the EU, it’s hard to imagine 4% would make things smoother, but I can see the planning/timetable point having that effect. I much welcome any step forward toward it!
Maybe very much beside the point, but I can’t help but wonder what it would do to prices. Earlier timetables would allow for potentially more efficient resource allocation, predictability and coordination. A 4% increase in supply isn’t really going to cut it I’m guessing, perhaps the smoothness will lead to significantly more passengers, which would be great for everyone, except for the price I’m afraid.
(Technical Assumptions: Notice I’m saying supply and not capacity. I’m assuming the improbable, namely a direct correlation between price and supply AND a super efficient 1:1 conversion of capacity to actually more trains, esp. with the delicate freight/passenger balance referred to in the same section of text.)
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