The best train company in Europe is Trenitalia, the worst Eurostar, according to a study

The best railway company in Europe is the Italian Trenitalia, according to the NGO Transport and Environment (T&E), which published on Monday a ranking of 27 companies evaluated according to various criteria such as price or reliability, placing Eurostar at the back of the pack.

The train “is the pillar of mobility in most countries in Europe, a pillar of mobility which is often singled out for its failings”explained Victor Thévenet, coordinator of railway subjects within the think tank.

With this study, T&E wishes to offer a complete comparison framework, allowing companies to draw inspiration from good practices to progress, and encourage States to put in place regulations that are more favorable to trains.

A series of eight criteria were used to evaluate companies on their medium and long distance routes, the most important being price. Reliability, available discount programs, compensation policies, passenger experience and the existence of night trains or bicycle spaces are also taken into account.

The highest rated company is Trenitalia, which offers one of the best value for money on the continent, according to T&E. It excels in almost every category, with the exception of the bicycle offering.

It is followed by the Swiss national company SBB and the RegioJet company, which operates trains in the Czech Republic and to border countries.

The Austrian company ÖBB comes fourth and SNCF fifth, thanks in particular to a “very good traveler experience, an attractive refund policy and its night train offer”according to Victor Thévenet.

The French company also offers “good value for money in Europe”he assures, but areas for progress exist because its prices remain high and “there are still reliability issues, cancellations and delays”. “The bicycle policy is not advantageous at all”further specifies Mr. Thévenet.

At the very bottom of the ranking, we find Ouigo – a low-cost subsidiary of the SNCF – in 25th position, which despite ultra-competitive prices – second cheapest operator in Europe – suffers from an absence of reduced fares and poor reliability.

But the worst airline on the continent is also the most expensive, according to T&E. Eurostar is 27th, just behind the Greek Hellenic Trains. The NGO emphasizes that prices, twice as high as the European average, do not guarantee quality of service.

The company – majority owned by SNCF Voyageurs – suffers, according to the ranking, from a lack of reliability which increases its final score.