Study on through tickets
25054
2025
TML supported the European Commission by analysing data and modelling the impacts of missed international rail connections with through tickets, as part of a broader study on rail passenger rights.
An increasing number of passengers use so-called ‘through tickets’: single tickets that cover an entire rail journey with multiple legs, often across borders. But what happens when a connection is missed? And who is responsible? At the request of the European Commission, this project investigated the costs and benefits of missed rail connections on international journeys with through tickets.
We combined a literature review with data analysis, interviews, and case studies in five countries. Together with DG MOVE, we defined the key concepts and indicators, collected available data on delays, complaints, and reimbursements, and modelled the impacts where data is missing.
Our findings support the European Commission's proposal to make international rail travel simpler and more passenger-friendly. In the future, travellers could search, compare, and book journeys involving multiple rail operators as a single ticket through the platform of their choice. The proposal also strengthens passenger rights when connections are missed and introduces new rules to make ticket sales fairer and travel options easier to compare.
This study is part of a larger study on rail passenger rights conducted by Milieu Consulting for DG MOVE. The Commission will submit the proposed regulations to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament for consideration under the ordinary legislative procedure.
An increasing number of passengers use so-called ‘through tickets’: single tickets that cover an entire rail journey with multiple legs, often across borders. But what happens when a connection is missed? And who is responsible? At the request of the European Commission, this project investigated the costs and benefits of missed rail connections on international journeys with through tickets.
We combined a literature review with data analysis, interviews, and case studies in five countries. Together with DG MOVE, we defined the key concepts and indicators, collected available data on delays, complaints, and reimbursements, and modelled the impacts where data is missing.
Our findings support the European Commission's proposal to make international rail travel simpler and more passenger-friendly. In the future, travellers could search, compare, and book journeys involving multiple rail operators as a single ticket through the platform of their choice. The proposal also strengthens passenger rights when connections are missed and introduces new rules to make ticket sales fairer and travel options easier to compare.
This study is part of a larger study on rail passenger rights conducted by Milieu Consulting for DG MOVE. The Commission will submit the proposed regulations to the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament for consideration under the ordinary legislative procedure.
