Joint statement to Commissioner Tzitzikostas: Youth and civil society call for seamless ticketing and affordable rail across Europe
Tuesday, 30 September 2025
The Youth on Track coalition, a network of youth organisations, consumer groups, and environmental NGOs, has signed a joint statement urging the EU to make cross-border rail travel simpler and more affordable.
Addressed to Commissioner Apostolos Tzitzikostas, the letter highlights that rail is Europe’s greenest long-distance transport mode, emitting on average five times fewer greenhouse gases than flying. Yet, high ticket prices and complex booking systems still prevent many travellers, especially young people, from choosing trains over planes.
With the forthcoming Single Ticketing Package and the revision of VAT rules, the coalition stresses that the EU now has a unique opportunity to act. The joint statement calls for:
- Seamless ticketing: Booking a train across Europe should be as simple as booking a flight, with interoperable systems, transparent fares, and stronger passenger rights when connections are missed.
- Affordable rail: International rail tickets should be exempt from VAT, while aviation’s long-standing exemptions must end. Savings should be reinvested to modernise infrastructure and lower ticket prices.
The call will be officially presented at an event in the European Parliament, hosted by MEPs Lena Schilling (Greens/AT), Martine Kemp (EPP/LU), and Thomas Pellerin (S&D/FR).
With these measures, the Youth on Track coalition urges EU policymakers to ensure that rail becomes the natural first choice for long-distance travel in Europe.
Read or download the full statement here
