Publication details
Night trains – Sustainable alternative or niche market?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2026 |
| Type | Peer-reviewed scientific article |
| Magazine / Source | Research in Transportation Business & Management |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| web | https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S221053952500286X |
| Doi | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rtbm.2025.101569 |
| Keywords | Night train; Costs; Supply; Investment |
| Attached files | |
| Description | Night trains in Europe have recently attracted attention as a potential sustainable alternative to air travel. However, their long-term viability remains uncertain. This paper focuses on the supply-side challenges that limit the broader adoption of night trains. Through interviews with operators in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the paper identifies critical obstacles, including high investment costs, infrastructure bottlenecks, low profitability, operational risks, and cross-border complexities. These findings suggest that, despite their environmental benefits, night trains are likely to remain a niche market without significant public-policy support. To address this, measures such as reducing infrastructure charges, providing financial incentives for rolling stock investment, and prioritising night trains in capacity planning could be essential. However, without substantial and sustained public support, night trains may struggle to become a mainstream alternative to air travel. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers seeking to promote more sustainable long-distance travel. |