The maiden voyage of a night train from Brussels to Venice was cut short at the Italian border, with passengers being transferred to a different train in Innsbruck, Austria. The Italian railways reportedly changed their minds about allowing the train to enter the country, citing issues with locomotive engines needed to reach Venice. Train operator European Sleeper had been working for months to establish the route, which was intended to connect major cities in Europe. Passengers on the Brussels-Venice night train are advised to check for updates on the availability of locomotive engines in Italy before their scheduled journey.
The incident with the European Sleeper train highlights the challenges of cross-border train travel in Europe. It has historically been difficult for authorities and train operators to coordinate services across borders, making it harder for travellers to choose trains over planes despite their lower environmental impact. A report by the European Commission showed that long-distance passenger cross-border services in the EU have remained stagnant over the years, comprising only a small percentage of train journeys in Europe. To encourage more people to opt for trains, there is a need for simpler planning and booking processes that allow for seamless travel between different operators.
Currently, booking train tickets in Europe can be complex and expensive, with no comprehensive platform like Skyscanner for flights. The Multimodal Digital Mobility Services legislation proposed by the EU aims to address this issue by creating a platform where passengers can purchase a single ticket for an entire cross-border journey. This would eliminate the need to deal with multiple national operators separately and provide passengers with stronger rights in case of missed connections. Although the legislation was delayed last year, there are hopes that it will be implemented this year to improve the experience of booking and managing international train travel in Europe.
The difficulties faced by the European Sleeper train at the Italian border indicate a wider issue with European cross-border train travel. Lack of coordination between authorities and operators can lead to disruptions and challenges for passengers. Train expert Mark Smith, who was on the train, reported that the locomotive engine issue was only communicated to European Sleeper a day before departure from Brussels. This highlights the need for better communication and planning among all parties involved in cross-border train services to ensure smoother and more reliable journeys for passengers.
The Brussels-Venice night train service was intended to cater to travellers seeking winter sports getaways, city breaks, cultural experiences, and the Venice Carnival. Despite the setback at the Italian border, the company behind the service, European Sleeper, remains committed to providing sustainable and comfortable night train options for travellers in Europe. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges associated with cross-border train travel in Europe, and the need for improved coordination and planning to enhance the overall experience for passengers.
