Photo: Shutterstock Today (August 28, 2025), the European Union began an unusual investigation process, during which the public is asked to share their experiences and opinions about train travel within EU countries, including between EU countries. On a special page on the EU's website that will operate from today, August 28, until September 22, passengers are invited to submit complaints and detail the issues they encountered during their travels.
"EU railway passenger rights apply to single and direct tickets, but usually not when travel tickets include more than one journey (a 'connection'), even if the tickets are purchased in a single transaction on a digital platform," the EU website states.
They further added, "While such tickets can sometimes be direct or sold with contractual protection, this is not guaranteed. As a result, passengers miss 'connections' between different train operators and may be left without a refund, without the option to change plans, and without compensation."
As mentioned, passengers are invited to share their experiences and issues with the various train companies operating across the continent. The special page opened for this purpose also publishes responses and complaints from passengers about the European train service.
One of them, W. van Essen from the Netherlands, wrote: "The proposed change in the initiative is absolutely necessary for promoting international train travel as the most environmentally friendly mode of transportation. Improving passenger rights as described in this initiative should go hand in hand with implementing rules for a single digital booking and ticketing system."