German Railway Company Announces Significant Overhaul, Reportedly Boosting Customer Experiences
German Railway (DB) Unveils Plans to Simplify Cross-Border Train Travel
German Railways are planning to simplify cross-border train travel with a proposed new integrated ticketing system. According to DB's long-distance traffic board member, Michael Peterson, the new structural change will be a game-changer for long-distance travel within Europe.
Beginning in autumn 2025, the Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) will revolutionize DB's ticketing system. This EU-endorsed interface standard will facilitate instant access to rail operators' ticket inventories, allowing passengers to seamlessly combine tickets from various carriers when booking multi-stop international journeys.
The initial rollout will encompass Austria's ÖBB and Switzerland's SBB, with more partners joining the initiative gradually. According to Peterson, the goal is to have most major European railways connected via OSDM by the end of 2026. This means that traveling between cities like Oslo and Athens or Warsaw and Barcelona using multiple train operators could be as easy as booking a single national journey.
In addition to the streamlined booking process, the OSDM system is expected to provide various advantages for passengers, such as real-time price information, improved passenger protections, and seamless disruption management. These enhancements should foster greater confidence in rail travel as a sustainable alternative to air travel.
The proposed changes are part of a broader European initiative aimed at creating a harmonized and customer-friendly rail travel experience. Supported by upcoming EU legislation, the ultimate goal is to make rail travel across Europe easier, more convenient, and more attractive to travelers.
While the OSDM system does not create a single unified ticket, it effectively integrates multiple tickets into one cohesive booking process, greatly improving the complexity traditionally faced in international rail travel.
Long-distance travel in Germany, however, still faces challenges. Matthias Gastel, a Green politician and member of the supervisory board of DB infrastructure subsidiary InfraGo, criticizes the fragmented nature of the European rail network. Purchasing multiple separate tickets for cross-border journeys can be problematic, leading to a lack of passenger protections and cumbersome processes. Additionally, technical hurdles such as power supply, signaling, safety technology, and language skills for train drivers can present obstacles on cross-border routes.
Despite ongoing challenges, both DB and the EU Commission are working towards improving international long-distance travel. The initiatives aim for a more integrated and user-friendly rail network across Europe, providing travelers with greater convenience and increased confidence in rail travel as a green and attractive mode of transportation.
- The Open Sales and Distribution Model (OSDM) system, set to launch in autumn 2025, will integrate technology to provide passengers with seamless access to rail operators' ticket inventories, allowing for a lifestyle that includes easy cross-border travel within Europe.
- With the implementation of OSDM, travelers will have the option to easily book multi-stop international rail journeys, making it possible to travel from cities like Oslo to Athens, or Warsaw to Barcelona, using multiple train operators, thanks to technology-driven advancements in the German Railway (DB) system.
