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Back-on-Track.eu criticises lack of EU action as ÖBB cuts into Nightjet order

Posted by Timothy on

On 11 July 2025, Back-on-Track.eu, a European network advocating for night trains, voiced serious concern following the announcement by the Austrian Federal Railways ÖBB, the European Union‘s largest night train operator, that it will reduce its order with Siemens Mobility for new Nightjet trains from 33 to 24 units. 

The group views the decision as further evidence that the current EU framework for night trains is failing to support the sector.

What happened?

The announcement, made by ÖBB on 10 July, comes during a difficult year for night train services across Europe. Several routes, including connections between Gothenburg, Åre and Duved in Sweden, Brussels in Belgium and Berlin in Germany, and Munich in Bavaria and Rijeka in Croatia, have been discontinued. 

Meanwhile, private operator European Sleeper, which still maintains only one regular route, has launched yet another crowdfunding campaign to stay afloat.

Although ÖBB framed its reduction of night train orders within a broader message about increasing investment in day services—highlighting new orders for RailJet 2 trains—Back-on-Track.eu sees this as a significant setback for sustainable long-distance travel. 

While day trains primarily compete with cars, night trains serve as a direct alternative to short- and medium-haul flights. RailJet 2, the group notes, cannot fill this gap.

Systemic problems

ÖBB has not publicly disclosed the reasons for its decision, but Back-on-Track.eu points to longstanding systemic problems. 

A major issue is the lack of coordination around track maintenance and construction work. Unlike in previous decades, rail infrastructure managers no longer consistently announce night-time works in advance or offer alternative routes. 

The group argues that when lines used by international trains are closed, the responsible infrastructure manager should be required to consult with a designated EU authority and provide an alternate route to ensure continuity of service.

Train path allocations

Back-on-Track.eu also highlights that train path allocation and track access charges remain uncoordinated at EU level. This presents significant barriers for international services. 

European Sleeper, for example, is still struggling to secure a workable route from the Netherlands via Belgium and France to Barcelona in Spain. ÖBB, for its part, did not even consider homologating its new Nightjets for the French network, anticipating that the process would be prohibitively complex, costly, and uncertain.

Regulatory fragmentation, including differing standards for rolling stock and disjointed capacity allocation systems, continues to pose challenges, especially for long international night trains. 

Call to action

Back-on-Track.eu calls on the EU to recognise these barriers and respond with targeted financial support for night train operators. This support, the group suggests, could take the form of public service obligations (PSOs) for strategic cross-border services or the creation of interoperable rolling stock pools to reduce entry barriers for new providers.

A potential turning point could lie in regulation 2023/0271/COD, submitted by the European Commission and European Parliament last year. The proposed law aims to improve international coordination of infrastructure works and prioritise sustainable modes of transport such as night trains in the allocation of rail capacity. 

However, progress has stalled. The Polish EU Presidency failed to conclude Trilogue negotiations, and there is no sign that the current Danish Presidency is prioritising the file.

People’s Republic of China

As a stark point of comparison, Back-on-Track.eu notes that in China, multiple night trains run daily between Beijing and Shenzhen, collectively offering over 3,500 beds per day. In contrast, the best-performing night train service in Europe provides just 480 beds daily.

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