December 8th local time, Germany signed new night railway service agreements with France, Switzerland and Austria. Under the agreement, more night railways will be used between European countries from next year.
Specifically, the night railway from Zurich, Switzerland, to Amsterdam, the Netherlands via Cologne, Germany, and from Vienna, Austria, to Paris, France, via Munich, Germany, will start operation in December 2021; in 2022, the night railway line will connect Zurich, Switzerland and Rome, Italy; 2023 1 In February, people will have the opportunity to take the night railway from Vienna, Austria, to Paris, France, via Berlin, Germany. By 2024, Germany will open the night railway to Barcelona, Spain.
The German Federal Ministry of Transport believes that the joint statement of intent issued by the heads of the German, French, Swiss and Austrian National Railways on the same day is an important step in the process of upgrading the European Express to version 2.0, aiming to create an attractive, smooth and environmentally friendly long-distance night railway transportation system.
Lutz, chairman of the board of directors of Deutsche Bahn, said on the 8th that DB, which has played an important role in the European night railway network, will further continue and expand the successful model through close cooperation with its French, Swiss and Austrian counterparts.
It is reported that the discussion on signing a joint agreement between European railways has lasted for several months. Earlier this year, at the initiative of Matt, president of the Austrian Federal Railway Company, a joint venture focusing on the development of night railway services came into being.
By September, German Federal Minister of Transport Schäuer proposed to revitalize the concept of “European trains” from 1957 to 1987. In its heyday, EuroExpress provided 45 pairs of trains to connect 130 cities in Europe at the same time. However, in 1987, it was replaced by European city trains.
Analysts pointed out that due to low demand, the economic benefits of night railways have not been ideal for many years.
However, with the strong political and business circles of the four countries working together to promote the development of European night-border railways, the concept of “European train” may create glory again.
