"The Paris-Berlin/Vienna night train operated by OBB (Austrian Railways) in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs and DB (German Railways) was launched to great fanfare in December 2023, connecting the capitals of France and Germany by a 12-hour overnight rail trip. It has proved a success, with an average occupancy rate of around 70 percent, rising to 90 percent in the summer."
"However, according to the Oui au train de nuit (Yes to Night Trains) group, the French government has threatened to withdraw its subsidy, sacrificing the service on the altar of public deficit savings. It has launched a petition calling on the government to continue to support these lines, even if it means renegotiating the subsidy, in exchange for a commitment from operators to run trains daily."
"BFM Business reported that launch aid for the service was paid in 2024 and 2025 but will not be paid in 2026, as the government is known to be seeking budget savings. Without financial support from the French government, rail operators OBB and DB no longer intend to bear the deficits alone, so the service could come to an abrupt end next December."
The Paris–Berlin/Vienna night train began service in December 2023, operated by OBB in partnership with SNCF Voyageurs and DB, offering a 12-hour overnight link. Occupancy averages around 70 percent and reaches about 90 percent in summer. Launch aid was paid in 2024 and 2025 but funding is slated to stop in 2026 as the government seeks budget savings. OBB and DB refuse to carry deficits alone, risking termination next December. The government criticizes partners for not delivering a daily service; currently three return services run each week. Campaigners and groups have launched a petition to preserve the line.
Read at www.thelocal.com
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