According to BT4Europe, the European travel buyers' network, a plan for the creation of a comprehensive night train network should be developed by the European Union.
BT4Europe, the European travel buyers' network, has added its voice to the demand that the European Union formulate a plan for the "development of a complete night train network."
Along with many national ministries, MEPs, and business associations, BT4Europe has signed a joint letter requesting the European Commission to take action to enhance night rail services throughout the EU.
The "huge opportunity" in Europe to move long-distance corporate travel from the road and the air to the railroads was also emphasized by BT4Europe head Patrick Diemer.
However, he also emphasized the challenges still facing this modal change, which would contribute to lowering emissions and making business travels more sustainable.
Diemer demanded a completely integrated system for booking, paying, and purchasing tickets for various forms of transportation in addition to a "comprehensive network" of night trains connecting the main economic centers of Europe. He went on to say that end-to-end passenger rights need to support this.
Rather than flying to the GBTA Europe convention in Hamburg last week, a group of travel buyer members of the Swedish Business Travel Association traveled there by overnight train. The BTN Europe's conversation with SBTA general manager Fredrik Hermelin delves deeper into these and other developments.
