Rail passenger numbers in Germany increased in 2025, driven by growth in both local and long-distance services, according to preliminary data published by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) on April 8.
The selection follows a competitive bidding process involving three candidates and is the first step in the region's mandatory transition toward open-access tendering for its TER services.
The return forms part of the operator’s December 2025 timetable, which adds 10,000 services annually.
The Győr–Sopron–Ebenfurth Railway (GYSEV) has officially expanded its passenger transport portfolio from 1 April 2026, taking over regional services on two additional routes in Western Hungary.
The agreement secures continued joint operation of TGV Lyria high-speed services between Switzerland and France, a cooperation that has been in place for more than 45 years.
The five-year contract was awarded at approximately EUR 17m, excluding infrastructure charges.
Passenger kilometres rose 3% year-on-year to 16.7 billion, while inflation-adjusted revenue increased 2% to GBP 3.1 billion (EUR 3.6bn).
The agreement follows a two-year tender process and includes a one-year mobilisation phase, with an option to extend for an additional four years.
The agreements formalise capacity arrangements on two of France’s busiest intercity axes.
The 91 coaches are intended to address a shortage of passenger rolling stock, which the ministry says has affected service quality.
The Dutch operator plans three weekly return services on each route at launch, increasing both corridors to daily operation by summer 2026.
The operator is seeking sufficient train paths to run nine daily return services between Turin and Naples and four between Turin and Venice.
Deutsche Bahn will expand its cross-border services to Belgium this summer, introducing a seasonal ICE connection that continues from Brussels to cities such as Ghent, Bruges and the North Sea coast.
Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) is adapting its seasonal tourist services for 2026, highlighting a broader European shift toward rail-based leisure travel and sustainable mobility.
The revised approach follows a joint review with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and feedback received during the earlier request for proposals.
Deutsche Bahn (DB) and the German federal government have launched an immediate action programme titled “More Comfort on Long-Distance Trains”, backed by an additional EUR 20m in 2026.
Slovenian Railways (SŽ–Potniški promet) transported 20.9 million passengers in 2025, the highest annual total since Slovenia’s independence and 25% more than in 2024.
From Kraków, the service continues internationally via Ostrava, Olomouc and Pardubice to Prague, establishing a through Warsaw–Kraków–Prague connection.
Five direct trains operate daily in each direction between Graz and Munich. The route is complemented by a daily Nightjet service linking Graz with Berlin overnight.
The private operator is deploying Stadler SMILE high-speed multiple units in direct competition with ÖBB services on the same corridor.