European expert Keith Fender looks at the 25th anniversary of the ICE services in Germany, and how the advent of low-cost airlines as well as changes in regulation regarding long-distance coaches affected business; and yet ICE4 has been launched. It details how finances have been affected through strikes, poor weather and competition; how punctuality needs to improve and open access’ impact on operations.
Looking to future with digital rail and new trains, the article shows that the problems facing the UK market are replicated elsewhere and that European railways are not maybe as good as they are made out to be, while facing similar challenges as the UK does.
We've read it in: Today’s Railways Europe, March 2017, Issue 255, Page 22-33
