T&E’s survey used eight key parameters for evaluation: ticket prices, service reliability, booking experience, refund policy, night train offer, bicycle transport and, of course, the overall travel experience. Trenitalia obtained a score of 7.7 out of 10, placing it in first place and beating high-profile competitors such as Swiss railways SBB and Czech operator RegioJet, both with a score of 7.4. Also worth mentioning is the other company present in the ranking, Italo, which ranks eighth with a score of 6.4.
Quality of service and value for money
One of the most appreciated aspects in the study is the value for money. According to the report, Trenitalia excels in offering competitive fares, but also in the quality of the services included, such as punctuality and comfort on board. The Italian company was particularly appreciated for the simplicity and efficiency of the online booking system, a truly important element for modern travellers.
Despite an excellent overall evaluation, the study highlighted a gap: loffer for those traveling by bicycle, deemed insufficient and rated with a score of 5 out of 10. Increasing bike friendly policies therefore represents a margin for improvement for a company that, in almost all other categories, stands out as an industry leader.
Comparison with other operators
Following Trenitalia, the ranking sees the Swiss railways and the Czech carrier on the podium, demonstrating the widespread quality of the railway services in those countries. It should be underlined that not all European companies shine in the same way: the Eurostar, which connects Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, came in last place. The main criticisms leveled at the service concern reliability and excessive cost, which penalize travellers’ overall experience.
The future of rail mobility
Victor Thévenet, coordinator of rail affairs at T&E, commented on the importance of this analysis, underlining how the train represents a fundamental pillar of sustainable mobility in Europe.: “Our goal is to provide a framework for comparison that pushes companies to improve and governments to support the growth of rail transport”.
We are certainly proud of the result obtained by Trenitalia, which demonstrates how Italian rail transport can compete at the highest European levels, but we cannot ignore the daily difficulties experienced by those who use the train as their main means of travel, especially commuters. Delays, disruptions and the effects of strikes continue to represent a significant problem, often leaving travelers without adequate responses. If we want these awards to be truly representative, it is essential to listen to the needs of those who experience the railway every day, improving services in a concrete and sustainable way
We leave you with the full report.
