Night trains are on the rise again! While Europe was widely interconnected by night trains until the end of the 20th century, connections decreased dramatically in the past two decades.

2021 marks the European Year of Rail and the resurrection of important new night train connections combined with fresh railway market entrants. The climate crisis and the Covid-19 pandemic have made us question and rethink our travel habits. Night trains are a good example on how to favour a more sustainable mobility.

During this event, we will discuss the past, present and future of night trains, have an exchange on the political context of night trains within the European Year of Rail 2021 and get insights on the market situation from public and private operators.

Programme:

Welcome by Eva van de Rakt, Director, Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union, Brussels

Debate moderated by Philipp Cerny, co-editor of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s European Mobility Atlas 2021, with:

• Anna Deparnay-Grunenberg MEP, Greens/EFA Group, rapporteur for the European Year of Rail 2021
• Mark Smith, Founder, The Man in Seat 61
• Veronika Haunold, EU & International Affairs Manager, Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB)
• Carl Adam Holmberg, Head of Snälltåget (open access railway company)

Q&A with the audience.

The event will be in English and German.