European Single Rail Ticket Gets Westbahn Backing

Westbahn is calling for the rapid introduction of the European Single Rail Ticket. The company says passengers should be able to buy international train tickets more easily, even when several rail operators are involved. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

The Austrian private rail company has welcomed the European Commission’s plans for a new European rail package. Westbahn says the proposed measures could make cross-border ticket sales more transparent and passenger-friendly. Tickets would be offered through shared platforms.

According to the company, access to international rail services remains too fragmented. The problem is especially clear when travelers need to combine trains operated by different companies.

European Single Rail Ticket and shared booking platforms

Westbahn CEO Thomas Posch said that buying rail tickets should become as straightforward as using a streaming service.

“Booking train tickets must become as simple as streaming music: one platform, all operators, total flexibility. A ticketing system that includes all operators would be a milestone for travelers across Europe,” said Thomas Posch.

He said rapid implementation is needed to remove existing barriers in ticket sales. Posch also connected greater transparency, simpler booking, and fair competitive conditions with support for innovation. In addition, he linked them with service quality and the attractiveness of rail transport.

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Westbahn says passengers planning journeys with several rail companies often have to move between different platforms. They may also need separate booking systems.

“Anyone looking to buy tickets today for trips from Vienna to Bad Ischl or from Vienna to Lisbon with different rail companies often has to use multiple platforms and combine different booking systems. This is no longer the case. Anyone who wants to strengthen mobility must make access as simple as possible: one search, one ticket, all operators. Europe now has the chance to take international rail transport to a new and modern level,” said Marco Ramsbacher, CEO of Westbahn.

The package prepared by the European Commission should cover several issues. Among them is the display and sale of tickets from all rail companies on different platforms under non-discriminatory conditions.

Cross-border tickets and fair access for operators

Westbahn believes that a functional single ticketing system could support European rail transport. It says simpler booking and fairer competitive conditions could increase demand. They could also improve services and make international network connections more efficient.

For passengers, the main benefit would be less fragmentation. Instead of searching separately for tickets from several operators, travelers could access a more integrated offer. It would also give clearer information on prices, connections, and travel conditions.

The issue is also important for private rail operators. According to the text, such companies have been calling for fair access to ticket sales and display systems for several years.

Westbahn says smaller operators risk being harder for passengers to find without this kind of integration. That risk remains even when they offer competitive connections.

Westbahn’s Austrian network

Westbahn has operated trains in Austria since 2011. At first, its services ran only between Vienna and Salzburg. The network has since expanded to Innsbruck, Bregenz, Lindau am Bodensee, St. Johann im Pongau, Munich, and Stuttgart.

From March 1, 2026, Westbahn trains are also due to operate on the southern route between Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Villach.

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