Even with open access, not easy.
https://www.cnn.com/travel/europe-night-train-revolution-what-happened/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawEkVWpleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHZgnhcSeEMVmJc5SQSiC1Y_04W0M0VKO4fHiUQs8uL0S5wwH8evkNdtwOg_aem_4VwOFrpVxYCB5AEBPUldbQ
I'm not sure independent train operators can realistically get investments for these very expensive-to-operate trains. Investors have to have some hope they will make money.
Unless the individual governments step in with funding, which is unlikely since they already fund their own trains, it's going to be slow-going.
Edit: Rereading the article, I see the state-owned rail systems are already running some successful overnight routes. It sounds like the independent operators are facing an uphill battle.
York1 John
Brings back memory of sleeper trip I took from Paris to Vienna. Couldn't sleep worth a darn. Would never try it today. If it draws people, great. Wonder if it's worth the resources and tying up maintenance time?
Gramp Brings back memory of sleeper trip I took from Paris to Vienna. Couldn't sleep worth a darn. Would never try it today. If it draws people, great. Wonder if it's worth the resources and tying up maintenance time?
I rode a sleeper Munich to Venice a dozen years ago Nice accomodations though I didn't sleep well. I also question the wisdom of investments into these services.
The best overnight ride I ever had was on one of the most modern, comfortable and stylish trains in Europe on CityNiteLine, from Paris to Barcelona c.2010. The ride itself was as smooth as anything (I slept like a kitten, so to speak) and the dining car made the experience unforgettable.
That being said, overnight trains in Europe generally don't work for me. Unless I'm willing to check out of a hotel at noon and wait until 8:30 PM or later with no room, it wastes a hotel night, so to speak. Likewise, arriving in a city at 7 or 8 AM means I have no hotel room until 3 or 4 PM, unless I book the room starting the night before; include the first class train fare and it's an expensive 24 hours.
Another reason I don't use them much: I want to see the scenery; it's mostly why I'm taking the train in Europe in the first place.
I like overnight trains, especially in the US, but in Europe, in more ways than one, for this tourist, they come at a price.
I think my take away from reading that subject outside of the posting above was that this is a capital intensive business that requires frequent capital injections to keep the experience fresh and attractive and that few private companies are agile enough or have enough capital to maintain the clientele. I think that is why it seems to work with government backing (OBB - Nightjet). Though that is just a guess, I have not see Nightjet's numbers. A lot of the firms in the article were fly by night (pardon the pun) and thinly capitalized to begin with. Also, keep in mind that across the EU the private-public partnership is not fully embraced. You have strong government and sometimes strong private BUT rarely one that stradles the line. I don't think the EU has the same concept as we do in the United States of quasi-governmental (Amtrak).
NKP guyI like overnight trains, especially in the US, but in Europe, in more ways than one, for this tourist, they come at a price.
Yes, I agree in large part the EU has not figured out how to cooperate with private sector or partner with them. I could mention why that is politically but most people can figure that one out on their own. It might be another Century before you see the concept of Private Activity Bonds in the EU.
Success of private operators depends on the service and country. Private HSR trains operate quite successfully in Italy.
Night trains are capital intensive for operations beyond their start up, i.e., money losers, as they are also labor intensive.
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