A new survey reveals that most people in Europe and North America want train travel to grow. The study, conducted by Hitachi Rail, asked 11,000 people from countries including Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, and across North America about their travel habits and future plans.
Almost half of those surveyed believe long-distance train travel will increase over the next five years. More than 70% said they would use public transport more often if it offered better connections, even if it cost a bit more. Notably, about two-thirds of Europeans support banning short-haul flights where high-speed rail options are available.
Currently, rail travel makes up about 29% of long-distance trips, defined as journeys lasting 2.5 hours or more. Around one-third of respondents expect to travel more by train in the next year. This number rises to between 40% and 49% when looking ahead five years, with higher interest seen in cities than across whole countries. By contrast, the survey suggests air travel will remain mostly unchanged, with only 2% expecting to fly more during this period. Car travel is expected to increase as well, but at roughly half the rate of rail.
The research was conducted by SavantaComres and confirms that rail is poised to grow, while air travel may stagnate.
Hitachi Rail highlighted strong public support for government policies that ban short flights. According to the survey, 62% of all respondents back such legislation, with support increasing to 67% in Europe, where many high-speed rail networks already exist. Laws banning some short flights in France and Spain are widely supported, with over twice as many people in favor than opposed. In these countries, many would even support tougher laws—63% in Spain and 56% in France.
Investment in new rail infrastructure is also popular. More people support funding this through taxes on air travel or road use than oppose the idea.
Edoardo La Ficara, Group Chief Markets Officer at Hitachi Rail, said the findings are “strikingly clear.” He added that respondents expect to use trains more than any other transport in the next five years. He emphasized the public’s support for government action to make this possible, calling it a “crucial opportunity” for the rail industry to help build a sustainable future for travel.
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