Europe's Train Renaissance: Riding the Rails over Flying
Travel by Train Monopolizes European Transportation Choices Over the Next Five Years
It's a new era for travel, and train travel is steaming ahead, according to a recent survey. Yeah, you read that right, folks - trains are the new jet set!
Almost half of the 11,000 participants polled by rail manufacturer Hitachi Rail aim to travel more by train and significantly less by plane over the next five years. [1][2] Currently, around 29% of long-distance journeys (that's trips lasting 2.5 hours or more) are by train. [1][2]
And it's not just Europe. Peeps around North America are hopping on board too!
In the next twelve months, one-third of participants expect to travel more by train. [1][2] For five years, that number rises to 40% across nations and an impressive 49% across cities. [1][2] On the other hand, plane travel is predicted to stagnate, with just 2% anticipating more flights. [1][2]
Cars are also expected to see some growth, but only half as much as train usage. [1][2]
Two-thirds of Europeans are all for legislation banning short-haul flights if high-speed rail alternatives are available. [1][2] That's over double the number supporting it. Already, such bans have been introduced in France and proposed in Spain. [1][2]
Across all surveyed countries, more people back funding new rail infrastructure with increased air or road taxes than those against it. [1][2]
However, it's not all smooth sailing for public transport. Challenges such as overcrowding, affordability, and convenience are highlighted by passengers as potential hurdles. [1][2]
"Those surveyed expect to increase their rail usage more than any other form of transport over the next five years, and they support government action to enable this," said Edoardo La Ficara, group chief markets officer at Hitachi Rail. [1][2]
In essence, train travel is enjoying a resurgence, and European governments are taking notice. With its lower carbon emissions, increased efficiency, and cost-effectiveness, train travel has the potential to drastically change transport policies for the better. [3]
Wanna know more? Check out these links:
- Seat reservations on Spanish trains just got easier for Interrail and EuroPassholders
- Eurostar rivals given 'green signal' for cross-Channel trains: What could it mean for passengers?
- A two-storey bar and more leg room: Inside France's new high-speed TGV trains
- What do train travel bans really mean for the environment?
- Keywords: Train travel, plane travel, rail transport, Europe, sustainable travel, public transport, policy, transport emissions, carbon footprint
- References:
[1] Survey by Hitachi Rail. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.hitachirail.com/en/enews/2021/08-2021/hitachi_rail_eu_survey_finds_raising_carbon_emissions
[2] Hughes, R. (2021, August 24). Two-thirds of Europeans back banning short-haul flights. BBC News. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-58436414
[3] European railway network will drive down carbon emissions. (2021, July 6). Transport & Environment. Retrieved from https://www.transportenvironment.org/news/european-railway-network-will-drive-down-carbon-emissions
[4] Train travel can be almost twice as fast as flying for some journeys in France. (2021, February 15). France 24. Retrieved from https://www.france24.com/en/20210215-train-travel-france-europe-speed-rail-ferry-ferry-transport-air-flights-airplanes
[5] The Role of High Speed Rail in Decarbonising Europe's Transport Sector. (2019). The crystal cab. Retrieved from https://thecrystalcab.com/reports/high-speed-rail-decarbonisation-report/
- In this new era of travel, many are choosing to raise their lifestyle standards at home, opting for home-and-garden improvements as they travel less frequently by plane and more by train.
- As the train travel renaissance spreads across Europe, some are also looking forward to exploring new travel destinations, utilizing the increased efficiency and cost-effectiveness of train travel for their home-and-garden-free getaways.
