With the theme year, the European Commission highlights the benefits of rail as a sustainable, smart and safe means of transport, and encourages the use of rail by both citizens and businesses to contribute to the EU Green Deal goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2050.
In the EU, rail is responsible for less than 0.5% of transport-related greenhouse gas emissions. This makes it one of the most sustainable forms of passenger and freight transport. Among other benefits, rail is also exceptionally safe and it connects people and businesses across the EU.
Rail passengers have the same rights on almost all international trains operating within the EU. However, it is worth remembering that EU Member States can decide whether or not to also extend these rights to domestic services (e.g. long-distance and local rail services) and to international services that depart or are destined to a country outside the EU.
More information:
European Year of Rail 2021 (European Union website)
Rail passenger rights (Your Europe portal)