Railway exception handling
For trains to compete with air travel, on short- and (some) medium-haul flight destinations, it will take much more than
'competitive travel time'.
I believe that the key concern will be how operators handle disruptions. Over decades, airports have built a significant infrastructure around accommodation for waiting (and delayed) passengers. Most railway stations have not and are also often located close to city centers where new construction is difficult (and where existing accommodation is expensive).
This is not news. The EU regulation on 'rail passenger rights' appears to offer much weaker customer protection than the air travel equivalent. For example, the EU rail passenger rights regulation states that rail operators need to offer accommodation: '[...] where and when physically possible' (Article 20-2(b)) when certain criteria are met.
Interestingly, the 'air passenger rights' regulation makes no such mention about when accommodation cannot be expected.
How service exceptions are handled, will define what mode of transportation people choose. And, if rail travel is to be promoted, why give rail operators lower service requirements?
I believe that the key concern will be how operators handle disruptions. Over decades, airports have built a significant infrastructure around accommodation for waiting (and delayed) passengers. Most railway stations have not and are also often located close to city centers where new construction is difficult (and where existing accommodation is expensive).
This is not news. The EU regulation on 'rail passenger rights' appears to offer much weaker customer protection than the air travel equivalent. For example, the EU rail passenger rights regulation states that rail operators need to offer accommodation: '[...] where and when physically possible' (Article 20-2(b)) when certain criteria are met.
Interestingly, the 'air passenger rights' regulation makes no such mention about when accommodation cannot be expected.
How service exceptions are handled, will define what mode of transportation people choose. And, if rail travel is to be promoted, why give rail operators lower service requirements?