Rail travel boom likely after pandemic

26/02/2021
Comfort viaggio su rotaia
For global domestic tourism, rail travel has long surpassed air travel in terms of volume. In 2019, 2.1 billion journeys were made by train, compared to just over a billion for air travel. While for international tourism, the numbers are completely reversed: 41 million international departures were made by train, compared to 735 million by air.
It is unlikely that train use will ever overtake air travel internationally, as it is generally more time-consuming and costly than air travel. However, after the pandemic, tourists are likely to venture closer to home than usual, due to the fear of flying and restrictions on international travel. Therefore, domestic rail travel is likely to increase exponentially.

 

 

Environmentally conscious travellers prefer trains to planes
48% of respondents in Globaldata’s latest consumer survey (16 – 20 September 2020) identified reducing their environmental footprint as more important now than before the pandemic and 37% said it was as important as before. Travelling by rail is a more environmentally friendly form of transport and may convince travellers to opt for this method over air travel as consumers become more aware of their environmental impact.
The considerable advantages of high-speed services
There have already been some notable victories over high-speed rail services against short-haul aviation in recent years. In 2019, Eurostar claimed that the cross-Channel route more than halved the demand for air travel between London and Paris. Ultimately, rail offers a ‘middle ground’ between flying and slow sea travel.
Similar benefits can be seen in China, where both domestic and regional tourism have been the first to benefit from a resurgence of tourism after the initial slowdown caused by the pandemic. As we enter 2021, many Chinese travellers are likely to continue to travel closer to home, rather than risk venturing to international destinations and facing local restrictions. This is a case where rail travel could be the key to smart and sustainable travel.
Categoria:

Post Correlati

June 10, 2022
European Year of Railways
By gesaindustry

After a challenging 2020, 2021 has been declared the European Year of Railways by the European Parliament and the Council. The year will feature a number of initiatives such as dedicated events, exhibitions and campaigns to promote rail as the most sustainable and innovative mode of transport, as well as supporting the achievement of the […]

Read More
July 25, 2021
Composite materials for cheaper and more efficient trains
By gesaindustry

London Underground’s District Line trains launched the first production trains fitted with lightweight aluminium composite honeycomb doors in 1978. Several decades after this first step, what are the advantages of using composite materials today?   Need for weight reduction in rail vehicles Increasing passenger demands, including universal access toilets, CET tanks, power outlets, air conditioning, […]

Read More
May 3, 2021
Origin and evolution of hyperloop railway technology
By gesaindustry

Richard Branson’s Virgin Hyperloop made headlines around the world in November 2020 after the first tests with passengers were conducted. But what are the foundations of this innovative means of transport? Let’s trace the most important moments in its evolution. 18th and 19th centuries: precursor projects of the hyperloop Musk’s idea of building a superfast […]

Read More
April 1, 2021
Hydrogen railway: is it time to convert?
By gesaindustry

Natural gas could become a key element in the journey towards a hydrogen economy. A particularly good example of the technological advances being made in hydrogen production came from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany. Researchers at the institute are developing a new method to separate hydrogen from natural gas using a liquid metal […]

Read More
crossmenuchevron-downchevron-right linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram