European rail operators are experiencing a resurgence, especially in passenger transportation: this means of transportation is popular with all generations – on personal and business trips, and for both local and long-distance journeys. The fast connections between European metropolises are particularly attractive to travelers. Compared to cars and planes, rail can often score points in a number of areas. But this is only true when everything runs smoothly and when the quality, convenience, availability and price are right.
In Europe, the use of the railroads reached a record level following a pandemic-related slump in 2023. An equivalent total distance of 429 billion kilometers was traveled by passengers. By 2028, the forecasts predict a further growth of four to six percent per year. Plus, with the European Commission’s Green Deal climate protection package, the share of European high-speed transportation is set to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. The racetracks, as they are referred to, that offer the most modern trains, the best rail routes and the fastest connections are a magnet for passengers.
Making rail travel more attractive
The rail industry can build on this momentum. “Can” being the key word, because this is not possible unless some important prerequisites are met. One of these key measures is the urgent need for digitalization. First of all, let’s address the important points. For passenger transportation, this means that a strong focus on the customer is crucial. If new technologies that offer reliable door-to-door connections and a convenient booking (and cancellation) system can be implemented throughout the rail network as quickly as possible, the railroads will be able to play a major role in networking different modes of transportation. This also means that, in the longer term, rail travel can become economically successful enough that the system will have plenty of resources to keep up with the increasing speed of technological innovation into the future. In other words: maintain attractiveness and continuously expand.
So, what would be the first key steps toward digitalization that would also be tailored to the needs of passengers? Customer experience is an important lever for increasing the number of passengers who travel by train. This starts at the planning and booking stage. Passengers want convenience and efficiency, and digitalizing the customer interface provides exactly that. It revolutionizes the passenger experience by proactively identifying customer needs: Passengers benefit from personalized travel options that take into account their individual preferences such as the fastest, most convenient or cheapest connection.
The destination: from regional to international