{"id":97194,"date":"2020-06-10T16:08:58","date_gmt":"2020-06-10T14:08:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/?p=97194"},"modified":"2023-10-10T12:44:13","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T10:44:13","slug":"europe-rail-health-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.voyages-d-affaires.com\/en\/europe-rail-health-crisis","title":{"rendered":"Health crisis benefits European rail links"},"content":{"rendered":"

An attractive alternative over distances that have hitherto been considered unattractive by travellers, particularly business travellers. This is the commitment signed by the 3 June<\/strong> last 25 countries<\/strong> of theEuropean Union<\/strong> - but also Norway and Switzerland - to encourage the development of high-speed international lines on the continent, and finally to coordinating tariff offers<\/strong>. The 25 signatories draw on the growing environmental awareness in Europe, which is reflected in a relative disaffection with short-haul airlines, but also in the growing acceptance among travellers of taking the train for longer journeys. Indeed, many governments are also encouraging travellers to rethink the way they travel. EU transport ministers believe that there is a real opportunity for international services on longer routes. routes ranging from 300 to 800 km<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

This trend is already being followed by a number of countries that have introduced dissuasive taxes on domestic routes, as is the case in Scandinavia and now Austria (see box). In France, the government has made its financial assistance to Air France<\/strong> <\/a>to the elimination of domestic lines<\/strong> when the train offers a less than three-hour alternative<\/a>.<\/p>\n

READ ALSO: \"\u00a0Is the train in a strong position after the crisis?<\/a>\"\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

The 25 European countries have agreed to draw up a \" programme for international rail passenger transport<\/em> \"using existing tools and integrating these services into the New Deal \"Green Deal<\/strong> that the European Union is putting in place. This pact steers the continent towards sustainable growth, with a target of carbon neutrality by 2050.<\/p>\n

An effort that would put international rail transport on a par with national networks and would also promote the return of night trains<\/strong>. In a study published by Denmark, the authorities hope that the the majority of European journeys of up to 1,200 km will be made by train by 2030<\/strong>. Swedish Railways has also published a report envisaging the introduction of high-speed night trains linking Stockholm to Hamburg, Brussels<\/a> and Cologne via Denmark. Connections would enable Cologne or Brussels to reach Paris<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A schedule of the next stages of development over the next twelve months will be presented on 19 June<\/strong> in Brussels. Other priorities include the creation of a system for purchasing tickets for international travel involving several operators. These should be processed using digital solutions via a Skyscanner-style online platform. This acceleration of the timetable comes at a time when the train offers a less restrictive transport alternative in a post-COVID world. In fact, the European Union has declared 2021 \"European Year of Rail<\/strong>. \" There is no doubt that rail transport offers considerable advantages in most areas: sustainability, safety and even speed, as long as it is organised and designed according to 21st century principles.<\/em> \"As Adina V\u0103lean, European Commissioner for Transport, pointed out when announcing 2021, the Year of the Railways.<\/p>\n

This date has been chosen at a time when the railways are celebrating a number of events, from the 40th anniversary of the TGV in France<\/strong> the first year of total deregulation of rail transport in Europe, or the commemoration of 175 years of the Europe's first international railway line<\/strong>linking Brussels to Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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Austria clips the wings of cheap short-haul tickets<\/h3>\n

Visit Austria<\/strong>The French government has decided to bring forward by one year an increase in air taxes on tickets, a measure that should cause airlines to lose some of their passenger traffic on short-haul routes. Until now, an air tax has been applied to all flights, amounting to 3.50 euros for short-haul flights and 17.50 euros for long-haul flights. Before the end of the year, an increase in taxes on short-haul flights is planned, linked to the introduction of an anti-dumping law on air fares. From now on, a tax of 12 euros will be applied to all flights departing from or arriving in Austria, regardless of distance. With one major exception, however: the tax will rise to 30 euros for all distances of less than 350 km, effectively banning low-cost flights to a large number of destinations. From Vienna<\/strong>This applies to all domestic routes, as well as connections to Budapest and Prague, Ljubljana<\/a> and Zagreb. Flights from Salzburg to Zurich would also be in the firing line. Even the Vienna-Munich route linking the group's two major hubs is likely to be affected. Lufthansa<\/strong>. The distance as the crow flies is 340 km! Lufthansa will probably negotiate ...<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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SBB resumes normal service in Switzerland<\/h3>\n

Swiss Federal Railways SBB<\/strong> are now offering almost all of their products from the 8 June<\/strong>according to an official announcement from the rail operator. This return to normal service will affect national mainline services, regional services and a large proportion of international services. Only night trains and certain routes at peak times will probably not be restored before the end of the summer.<\/p>\n

On 8 June, SBB reintroduced the IC1 line between Geneva Airport - Bern - Zurich - St. Gallen, the IC2 line between Zurich and Lugano and a 30-minute service between Basel and Zurich. At the same time, SBB is reintroducing a half-hourly service on line IR36 between Basel and Zurich Airport.<\/p>\n

More trains will also be offered during peak times between Berne and Zurich, as well as in the Basel and La Chaux-de-Fonds regions.
\nOn cross-border regional lines, most services have been restored, but there are still restrictions between Switzerland and Italy. In Ticino, TILO regional trains still stop at the border. SBB has also indicated that it is working on a A growing partnership between France and Switzerland<\/strong>. Since 18 May, two trains have been running between Geneva<\/strong> and Paris<\/strong>and a train between Basel SNCF and Paris<\/strong>. Additional connections will be re-established in coordination with the authorities' decisions. Traffic between Switzerland and Germany has almost returned to normal, while Railjet services to Austria have just resumed. The latest information on international relations can be found here.<\/p><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n