The Europeans | European news, politics and culture When will Europe get the trains it deserves?
Feb 19, 2026
Jon Worth, a European rail policy commentator who launched the European Rail Passengers' Union, argues for smoother cross-border train travel. He discusses night-train shortages, ticketing chaos on international journeys, stranded passengers and liability gaps. He also maps practical fixes like better timetables, rolling stock and targeted high-speed links.
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Passengers Need A Pan‑EU Voice
- European rail passengers lack a unified voice at EU level, causing cross-border problems to persist.
- Jon Worth aims to create a European Rail Passengers' Union to lobby Brussels for cross-border fixes.
Small Rules Reveal Big Fragmentation
- Cross‑border operational oddities can be hilariously bureaucratic, like drivers barred from each other's restrooms.
- These petty rules highlight how fragmented operations harm both staff and passengers.
Define Who Pays For Disruptions
- Build legal frameworks that assign clear responsibility for cross‑border disruptions to avoid passenger cost-shunting.
- Use a passengers' union to press for enforceable cross‑company compensation rules.