photo: Uwe Schwarzbach / Flickr/Wachtl-Bahn railway track near Kiefersfelden, Bavaria, Germany
European railways say they’re delivering on their 2021 pledge to simplify ticketing and improve the passenger experience. As the European Commission finalises its new Ticketing Package, CER urges fair rules across all transport modes, not just rail.
European railways are keeping their 2021 promise to improve passengers’ experience in ticketing. According to the 6th Implementation Report of its Ticketing Roadmap, members of the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) continue to make positive strides across all commitment areas. At the same time, they raise concerns in a new position paper on the upcoming EU Ticketing Package, the legislative trio consisting of the Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS) Regulation, the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing Regulation (SDBTR), and the revision of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation.
CER members have acted to deliver on their industry-level commitments. Passengers now benefit from up-to-date timetables, extended booking horizons of up to six months, and more cross-border multi-operator journeys. Operators have also started rolling out the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) and the Electronic Ticket Control Database (ETCD) — two key technologies enabling tailored offers and universal ticket validation. In addition, over 90% of CER passenger traffic now falls under the Agreement on Journey Continuation, improving assistance for missed connections due to delays or disruptions.
In their new position paper, CER members reaffirm their dedication to better booking experiences. With 75% of Europeans finding rail booking easy, according to the 2025 Eurobarometer survey on MDMS, the association stresses that future EU regulation must genuinely support the modal shift to rail and strengthen competitiveness.
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Level Playing Field Across All Modes
CER calls for a balanced regulatory approach across all transport modes. Aviation currently appears exempt from certain measures in the SDBTR, while rail companies face obligations to sell competitors’ offers, an unprecedented requirement in any other sector. For open markets to thrive, CER insists on preserving commercial autonomy and ensuring fair liability rules between operators and third-party vendors under passenger rights frameworks. Any solution in the revised regulation must help passengers reach their destinations without imposing disproportionate burdens that could lead to higher ticket prices or reduced services.
Consolidating Rail’s Role in Decarbonisation
Over the past four years, CER members have made measurable progress in improving booking and travel experiences. It is now crucial that EU regulation supports these achievements rather than introducing new risks and costs that widen the gap with other transport modes.
CER Executive Director Alberto Mazzola said: "The CER Ticketing Roadmap has demonstrated tangible progress, with passengers benefiting from improved booking systems and strengthened journey continuation. It is now imperative that forthcoming legislation consolidates rail’s role in decarbonisation by setting fair conditions across all transport modes. The sector will continue improving ticketing and delivering better multimodal solutions by 2030."
Source: CER Press Release