The cities along the Upper Rhine and the initiative Main Line for Europe e.V. have reacted with great dismay to the announcement that night train services from Paris to Berlin and Vienna are to be discontinued from mid-December. According to the Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB), the reason for this is the cancellation of state subsidies in France.

‘This decision is a setback for cross-border mobility and climate protection,’ emphasises Annika Hummel, Managing Director of the Main Line for Europe initiative. ‘As the capital of Europe, Strasbourg is a central hub for European cooperation. Night trains connecting Paris, Berlin and Vienna directly with Strasbourg not only enable efficient and sustainable travel, but also strengthen the direct links between European capitals and the heart of Europe.’

The night train lines from Paris to Berlin and Vienna along the Magistrale for Europe are in impressively high demand. They represent a particularly climate-friendly alternative to air travel. Their discontinuation would not only mean a considerable loss for travellers, but would also leave a significant gap in the European transport infrastructure.

The Main Line for Europe e.V. initiative is therefore calling on the French Ministry of Transport to work with international partners to find solutions to ensure the continuation of these important connections. State support for night trains is not a subsidy for a niche service, but an investment in sustainable mobility, climate protection and European cooperation.