Westbahn, the private rail operator in Austria, is calling for the rapid implementation of the European Single Ticketing system, which would make it easier for passengers to purchase train tickets for international travel, regardless of the operators involved.
The company welcomes the European Commission’s plans regarding the new European rail package, which would facilitate the sale of cross-border tickets through shared platforms in a more transparent and passenger-friendly manner.
According to Westbahn, access to international rail travel remains too fragmented, especially when passengers must combine services operated by different companies.
“One platform, all operators, total flexibility”
Westbahn CEO Thomas Posch argues that purchasing train tickets must become as simple as using streaming services.
“Booking train tickets must become as simple as streaming music: one platform, all operators, total flexibility. A ticketing system that includes all operators would be a milestone for travelers across Europe,” said Thomas Posch.
He added that rapid implementation is needed so that existing barriers to ticket sales can be eliminated. In his view, greater transparency, simpler bookings, and fair competitive conditions would support innovation, service quality, and the attractiveness of rail transport.
One search, one ticket
Westbahn argues that passengers who want to combine multiple operators are often forced to use different platforms and separate booking systems.
“Anyone looking to buy tickets today for trips from Vienna to Bad Ischl or from Vienna to Lisbon with different rail companies often has to use multiple platforms and combine different booking systems. This is no longer the case. Anyone who wants to strengthen mobility must make access as simple as possible: one search, one ticket, all operators. Europe now has the chance to take international rail transport to a new and modern level,” said Marco Ramsbacher, CEO of Westbahn.
The package prepared by the European Commission should ensure, among other things, that tickets from all rail companies can be displayed and sold on different platforms under non-discriminatory conditions.
A Boon for Competition and International Transport
Westbahn believes that a functional single ticket system could provide a significant boost to European rail transport. The company argues that simpler bookings and fair competitive conditions can lead to increased demand, better services, and more efficient connections between international networks.
For passengers, the main benefit would be a reduction in the current fragmentation. Instead of searching separately for tickets from multiple operators, travelers could have access to an integrated offering with greater transparency regarding prices, connections, and travel conditions.
The issue is also important for private operators, who have been calling for fair access to ticket sales and display systems for several years.
Without such integration, smaller companies risk being harder for passengers to find, even when they offer competitive connections.
Westbahn, a private operator on the Austrian market
Westbahn has been operating trains in Austria since 2011. Initially, the company operated only between Vienna and Salzburg, but has since expanded its services to Innsbruck, Bregenz, Lindau am Bodensee, St. Johann im Pongau, Munich, and Stuttgart.
Starting March 1, 2026, Westbahn trains will also run on the southern route between Vienna, Graz, Klagenfurt, and Villach.
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