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DiscoverEU: Win 5,000 Interrail Passes to Travel Europe at Age 18

July 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Les jeunes Français de 18 ans peuvent tenter leur chance pour remporter un Pass Interrail - Depositphotos.com @denrud

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Good news for young travelers: the DiscoverEU program is reopening its applications. Starting this Wednesday April 8 at 12:00, French citizens born between July 1, 2007 and June 30, 2008 can apply via the European Youth Portal.

At stake: an Interrail Pass allowing free train travel across Europe for 30 days.

Winners will be able to use this travel entitlement between July 1, 2026 and September 30, 2027.

In total, 5,000 French youngsters will be drawn to benefit from this scheme, funded by the European Commission and operated in France by the Agence du Service Civique.

A program to encourage youth mobility

Launched within the Erasmus+ framework, DiscoverEU aims to strengthen the sense of European belonging among young people, while making travel more accessible.

In addition to transport, beneficiaries receive a European Youth Card granting access to numerous discounts: cultural activities, local transport, accommodations, and meals.

Applicants must complete an online quiz and may travel alone or in a group, selecting up to four friends.

For Nadia Bellaoui, president of the Agence du Service Civique, the objective is clear: “to enable young people, regardless of their background, to travel freely and for free for a month“.

A goal shared by the beneficiaries. Illyana, 19, who left in 2025, recalls it as a formative experience: traveling alone allowed her to unwind, learn to improvise, and meet numerous people.

Applications open until April 22

Applications are open until 22 April 2026 at 12:00 (Brussels time). Interested youths should visit the European Youth Portal to submit their application.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Corsica Ferries Strengthens Summer 2026 Offering and Accelerates Digital Transformation

July 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Corsica Ferries renforce ses liaisons en Méditerranée - Depositphotos.com, KovalenkovPetr

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As spring-summer 2026 approaches, Corsica Ferries announces a strengthening of its links in the Mediterranean, while betting on digital innovation to improve the customer experience.

“We continually adapt our offering to meet our customers’ expectations: more flexibility, varied destinations, and a strong focus on both the onboard experience and digital services“, says Fabien Agostini, Chief Operations Officer of the company.

Faithful to its historical markets, the shipping line consolidates its routes to the main Mediterranean destinations.

Since April, sailings to Mallorca and Menorca have resumed from Toulon and Sète. Two weekly rotations are scheduled from Toulon, complemented by a weekly crossing from Sète.

A Stronger Presence on Key Destinations

Faced with sustained demand, Sardinia is seeing its offering expanded. From Toulon, the frequency rises to two crossings per week.

In addition, a new connection was inaugurated on April 18 between Sète and Porto Torres, with one crossing per week (excluding August).

A central destination for the company, Corsica remains accessible year-round from Toulon, Nice, Sète, Savona and Livorno.

The increase in rotations aims to guarantee greater flexibility for travelers. A new weekly link between Sète and Ajaccio was also launched on April 18 (excluding August).

A Customer Experience Oriented Toward “Contactless”

In keeping with its modernization strategy, Corsica Ferries is rolling out several digital features through its mobile application.

Among the main developments, dematerialized cabin access allows passengers to use their smartphone as a key, without stopping at the reception.

The app also centralizes boarding passes, makes it easier to modify sailings, and provides direct access to the Corsica Club loyalty program, accompanied by real-time notifications.

Another novelty is the option to pay for bookings in multiple installments (2, 3, or 4 installments) for online purchases.

The company is also launching a thematic mini-cruise from May 7 to May 10, 2026, combining cultural discovery and sporting activities. Departing from Bastia, passengers will head to Civitavecchia, the gateway to Rome, before reaching Portoferraio on the island of Elba.

The program includes free time to explore the Italian capital, as well as on-board activities, notably in partnership with Fitness Park. The trip also offers possible participation in the Marathon of Elba Island for the most energetic travelers.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Journalist
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Post-2025 Tensions: Coach Operators Confront the Energy Crisis

July 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

"Faire plus avec moins ne doit pas être un slogan, mais une méthode", selon la FNTV - Depositphotos

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In tourism, crises are a bit like trouble—like the saying goes, they come in swarms, a notion attributed to Jacques Chirac.

Bus operators, like other sectors, are currently facing several crises that are colliding with one another. According to the FNTV 2025-2026 activity report, the year 2025 was already a tense one.

After two years of growth, activity slowed down due to the political context and economic uncertainty.

And 2026 looks set to be even tougher. In mid-April, BlaBlaCar announced the closure of its subsidiary dedicated to Cars Macron, while bus operators have just acquired vehicles to operate routes served by the company, as Ingrid Mareschal, the FNTV’s general delegate, told us.

For its president, Jean-Sébastien Barrault, 2026 is now the year of the energy crisis.

“We are no longer in a growth-driven dynamic, but once again confronted by an energy crisis following the conflict in the Middle East. Moreover, the sector must now cope with vehicle delivery difficulties.

Global demand is strong, European production capacities have diminished, and manufacturers are struggling to secure spare parts.

On top of that, tax increases are piling up. Business leaders are adapting, but the accumulation of hurdles weighs on their morale“, he explained in this 40-page document.

“Doing more with less should not be a slogan, but a method,” says the FNTV

In light of this assessment, the union emphasizes its full mobilization to its members.

Moreover, part of the sector also has to contend with a cut in public expenditure, while activity is sometimes subsidized, as is the case for urban or school transportation.

“Our challenges are immense: to succeed in the energy transition, to expand the offering, and to spark a genuine desire for coach travel to persuade more users to leave their car.

All of this within a tight budgetary context, where public money is becoming scarcer, against a backdrop of generalized cost increases, especially of fuels.

Doing more with less must not be a slogan, but a method“, continues the union president.

According to him, it is time to secure longer contracts and a more collaborative approach that would allow bus operators to project themselves into the long term.

They would thus be better positioned to invest in a newer, more environmentally friendly fleet.

“A proactive rather than punitive approach can help optimize our fares rather than embedding penalties in the prices, which mechanically raise our offers.

In other words, solid contractual practices can enable greater influence, faster decarbonization, and control of public expenditure. Our clear objective is to defend modern, safe, and accessible coach mobility.

But to succeed, we need a stable, coherent, and ambitious framework“, concludes Jean-Sébastien Barrault.

The FNTV welcomes the Ambition France Transports conference

Among the positive achievements of 2025, the Ambition France Transports conference stands out.

It enabled the drafting of a framework law on transport development, presented to the Council of Ministers on February 11, 2026. It established a framework offering financial prospects and clarified governance for road passenger terminals.

Moreover, the famous Cars Macron, celebrating their 10th anniversary at the time, surpassed their pre-crisis activity level.

“”They have undoubtedly earned their place in the mobility offer, but their development will depend on upgrading infrastructure, especially road stations.

By tackling this issue head-on, one can hope that the law resulting from the Ambition France Transports conference will give a boost to the ‘Cars Macron’,” explained the union president.

He also mentioned a reduced tension in employment, particularly for drivers, even though the balance remains fragile. The average age of drivers exceeds 50 years. A significant renewal will therefore need to be undertaken in the coming years.

A substantial effort to rejuvenate and modernize the profession remains to be pursued.

🚌

📋 Key Figures 2025

66,564

COACH SERVICES IN FRANCE

as of January 1, 2025

Dashboard for tourism professionals and collective mobility — an industry comprising 2,624 companies and 107,008 employees.

💰

11.3 Billion €

turnover
interurban transport

🎟️

11.1 M

passengers
Cars Macron 2024

🌿

× 30

cars replaced by
one coach

🎒

~2 M

students transported
every day

👷

82 %

of employees
are drivers

⚡

44 %

invest in
new energies

🚌

🗺️ National Offer & Network

🎟️

11.1 million

passengers carried
on Cars Macron in 2024

👥

2,745

employees dedicated
to Cars Macron

💰

11.3 Bn€

turnover for
interurban transport

🏢

2,624

companies
in the sector

🛣️

2,191

carpooling
areas

⏱️

18 months

delivery time
for a new coach

🚌

🧳 Passengers & School Transport

Tourist Coaches

Seniors or juniors
85 %

Corporate travel
59 %

National & international
50 %

Family travel
41 %

12.8 million

passenger trips
carpooling 2024

School Transport

🎒

~2 million

students transported every day

🚌

36,000

school drivers mobilized

📊

75 %

school trips by coach percentage

🚌

👷 Employment & Environment

📋

77 %

of hires
on permanent contracts

🎯

82 %

of employees
are drivers

⚡

44 %

of companies invest
in new energies

🌿

1 coach

= 30 cars fewer

on the road — champion of sustainable mobility

⚠️

Recruitment pressure

33 % of companies struggle to recruit full-time drivers
61 % face difficulties for part-time positions

1 / 4

SNCF: Four Unions Call for a Strike on June 10

July 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

SNCF : 4 syndicats appellent à la grève pour le 10 juin ! - Depositphotos.comAuteur Andrei Antipov

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In a joint statement published on May 6, 2026 in Paris, the four unions CGT Cheminots, UNSA Ferroviaire, SUD-Rail and CFDT Cheminots call for a strike on June 10.

The representative organizations of SNCF employees warn about the lack of progress during the consultations carried out in recent weeks with management. They denounce in particular a policy of reorganisation deemed « anxiogenic », as well as the consequences of the restructurings on working conditions and employees’ health.

The unions mention several areas of concern: job cuts, internal reorganisations, mandated professional mobility and the evolution of the group’s structure through the process of subsidiaryisation.

According to them, these transformations would weaken the social unity of the railway group and could call into question certain historic collective agreements.

The text also highlights wage demands. They ask management to respond to the railway workers’ expectations regarding purchasing power and working conditions.

Jean Castex: Opening up to competition entails profound changes

Invited to the Travel Industry Congress on Monday, May 4, Jean Castex, President of the SNCF Group, did not hide the substantial transformation program confronting the company: “ Competition pushes us to be more competitive; it is not easy. The situation remains complex.

There is a major HR project in the background, with sustained discussions with the trade unions. We are committed to a transformation logic that must be gradually supported.

Since my arrival in November, there have been no strikes at Christmas nor in February. I hope that the month of May will allow progress in a calmer climate, but that requires constant work. It is a daily battle. Nothing is done by decree and the difficulties are real, all the more so because opening up to competition entails profound changes.”

BlaBlaCar Integrates Trenitalia, Expands Rail Offering in France

July 29, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

BlaBlaCar intègre Trenitalia sur sa plateforme pour élargir son offre de trains en France - Photo : Blablacar

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BlaBlaCar continues to expand its multimodal offering in France.

The platform announced, on May 6, 2026, the integration of Trenitalia trains into its app and website, enabling users to compare and book journeys by train, bus, or carpool from a single interface.

This announcement follows BlaBlaCar’s ongoing opening to rail travel, which began with the SNCF in France, then with the Spanish operators Renfe and Iryo. The addition of Trenitalia thus completes a service that aims to be increasingly European.

Present in France since 2021, Trenitalia operates high-speed connections on the Paris-Lyon, Paris-Marseille, and Paris-Milan routes. The operator claims nearly 5 million travelers carried and a satisfaction rate of 97%.

Its network serves several major stations, including Lyon Part-Dieu, Avignon TGV or Marseille Saint-Charles, as well as destinations in Italy such as Turin and Milan.

With this integration, BlaBlaCar members can now purchase Trenitalia tickets directly, on par with the other transport options already available on the platform.

A Centralized User Experience

One of the key aims of this collaboration is to streamline the purchasing journey. Users can compare the various options — train, bus, or carpool — without leaving the BlaBlaCar environment, and complete their booking without being redirected to third-party sites.

This centralized approach also extends to new conversational usages. The Trenitalia offering is accessible via the BlaBlaCar app integrated with ChatGPT, enabling travel searches in natural language.

For Erwin Coffy, BlaBlaCar’s commercial director, this development marks “a decisive step” in the group’s strategy, with the ambition to become a reference platform for long-distance journeys, by focusing on transparency of offers and price comparisons.

On his side, Marco Caposciutti, president of Trenitalia France, emphasizes that this partnership aims to increase the visibility of rail travel and to reach new customers, especially those seeking simple and centralized solutions.

The Train, a Growth Driver for BlaBlaCar

Beyond expanding the offering, rail travel appears as a growth lever for BlaBlaCar. According to the company, one in four bookings is made by a new user, while 70% of train customers were already using its carpool or bus services.

Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
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Rail Transport: ECTAA Backs EU Rail Package, Warns of Concentration Risks

July 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Transport ferroviaire : ECTAA soutient le paquet européen mais alerte sur les risques de concentration - Depositphotos.com Auteur WDSuncrest

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ECTAA welcomes the new “passenger package” presented by the European Commission, which includes proposals on rail ticketing, multimodal digital mobility services (MDMS), and the revision of rail passenger rights.

In a press release, the organization contends that these measures could improve consumers’ access to European rail services under conditions that are “fair, reasonable, and non-discriminatory” (FRAND). According to ECTAA, better access to railway content would strengthen “transparency, consumer choice, and innovation in rail distribution.”

The association also notes several cautionary points. It argues that the FRAND principles should not be confined to the rail sector alone but should also apply to air transport and other mobility sectors.

ECTAA cites in this regard the antitrust case involving Ryanair in Italy as an example of practices deemed unfavorable to independent distributors.

Ensuring Fair Access to Railway Content

« Ensuring fair access to railway content is an important and welcome step for both consumers and independent travel distributors », said Eric Drésin. The Secretary General of ECTAA nevertheless believes that « the same market dysfunctions exist in air transport and should be addressed coherently ».

ECTAA also expresses caution about opening the sales platforms of historical rail operators to competing services. While this measure could promote competition among rail companies, the organization fears that it may also reinforce the clout of large operators in distribution.

« We fear that some of the proposed measures could inadvertently create “super-competitors” », added Eric Drésin, pointing to a risk for independent distributors and the diversity of the market.

Night Trains Paris–Tarbes: A Solution Found to Keep the Line Running

July 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

SNCF Voyageurs déploie des trains de nuit Paris–Tarbes, Depositphotos.comPhoto by Mirage3

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On Tuesday, May 27, 2026, SNCF Voyageurs, LISEA, operator of the Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed line, and the State announced the establishment of a new arrangement to ensure journeys between Paris and Tarbes, in the Hautes-Pyrénées, by night train.

This arrangement allows conventional night trains, Corail trains whose top speed is 160 km/h, to run on the Sud Europe Atlantique high-speed line, an infrastructure originally designed for trains capable of reaching 320 km/h.

This adaptation required revising the locomotives’ safety systems, as well as targeted training for Intercités crews on the rules of operation on high-speed lines.

Night train Paris-Tarbes: What roles for the main players?

The State has fully borne the costs of modifying the locomotives’ safety systems, totaling over €700,000, in order to fulfill its promise to guarantee daily transit.

As for SNCF, it has committed to developing this innovative deviation via the LGV whenever the traditional route is inaccessible.

LISEA collaborated to integrate these night trains, ensuring that this does not affect the reliability of daytime TGV movements.

To read: Night train: “we are awaiting decisions worthy of the promises”

Night train Paris-Tarbes: The impact for travelers

Thanks to this partnership, nearly 150 Paris-Tarbes night trains will be able to operate each year on Saturdays and Sundays, days when they were previously canceled due to modernization work between Tours and Bordeaux.

Despite the rerouting, journey times remain unchanged and all ten usual stations continue to be served: Paris-Austerlitz, Les Aubrais, Biganos-Facture, Dax, Saint-Vincent-de-Tyrosse, Bayonne, Orthez, Pau, Lourdes, and Tarbes.

To read: Night train: European Sleeper launches a Paris-Berlin link

Heatwave: Which Trains Are Canceled on Thursday and Friday by SNCF?

July 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Canicule : quels trains sont supprimés jeudi et vendredi par la SNCF ? - Depositphotos.com Auteur BalkansCat

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In response to the currently intense heat, SNCF Voyageurs has decided to temporarily ease its offering on certain Intercités lines. According to the company, this measure affects about 0.1% of trains operating today.

The company explains that it aims to prevent potential failures of air conditioning systems on certain Corail cars. Although these trains undergo regular maintenance, their age makes them more sensitive to high temperatures than newer rolling stock, explains the rail operator.

These adjustments primarily target daytime services and are decided based on weather forecasts for the territories concerned.

SNCF Voyageurs indicates that its booking tools have been updated and that travelers affected are contacted in order to reorganize their trip under the best possible conditions, with rebooking options on trains that still have seats available.

Customers can also exchange or obtain refunds for their tickets at no charge. The return to a normal transport plan is planned for Saturday, May 30.

Which Intercités trains are running this Thursday and Friday:

Thursday, May 28

Paris – Limoges – Toulouse: 13 trains out of 20 are running. The trains cancelled are the following:

– Paris – Toulouse No. 3619 (08:26–15:32)

– Paris–Brive No. 3625 (10:28–15:03)

– Paris–Cahors No. 3635 (12:27–18:14)

– Paris–Toulouse No. 3645 (14:28–21:32)

– Toulouse – Paris No. 3650 (10:27–17:48)

– Cahors–Paris No. 3654 (12:46–18:31)

– Brive–Paris No. 3674 (16:59–21:31)

Bordeaux – Marseille: 10 trains out of 16 are running. The trains cancelled are the following:

– In the Bordeaux–Marseille direction: No. 4659 (10:09–16:37), No. 4661 (12:10–18:37), No. 4663 (14:10–20:40)

– In the Marseille–Bordeaux direction: No. 4760 (11:22–17:49), No. 4762 (13:25–19:59), No. 4764 (15:26–21:51)

Friday, May 29

Paris – Limoges – Toulouse: 12 trains out of 19 are running. The trains cancelled are the same as on Thursday, May 28.

Paris – Clermont line: 13 trains out of 17 are running. The trains cancelled are the following:

– In the Paris–Clermont direction: No. 5959 (12:57–16:34), No. 5963 (13:56–17:28)

– In the Clermont–Paris direction: No. 5966 (10:27–13:57), No. 5970 (13:29–16:57)

Bordeaux – Marseille line: 10 trains out of 15 are running. The trains No. 4659, 4661, 4760, 4762 and 4764 are cancelled.

On the Paris – Limoges – Toulouse line, the Paris – Brive No. 3615 (07:28–12:04) and Brive – Paris No. 3684 (17:51–22:28) will see their consist increased from 11 to 16 cars on Thursday, May 28. The Paris–Brive No. 3615 will also operate with 16 cars on Friday, May 29.

Regarding the Paris – Clermont-Ferrand line, the Clermont–Paris No. 5962 (08:29–11:57) and Paris–Clermont No. 5971 (15:57–19:30) also move from 11 to 16 cars on Friday, May 29.

These additional cars are, however, not possible on the Transversale Sud, due to works scheduled over the two days at Marseille Saint-Charles station which limit our trains to 10 cars.

SNCF Becomes Official Supplier of the Tour de France Through 2028

July 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Jean Castex, président-directeur général du groupe SNCF, et Christian Prudhomme, directeur du Tour de France - Photo : AB

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The SNCF and the Tour de France formalize an unprecedented rapprochement.

Gathered on Friday, May 29, 2026, Jean Castex, chief executive officer of the SNCF group, and Christian Prudhomme, head of the Tour de France, announced the signing of a three-year partnership between the rail company and the organizers of the Grande Boucle.

As part of this agreement, the SNCF becomes the “official supplier” of both the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift for the 2026, 2027 and 2028 editions.

For Jean Castex, this collaboration appears as an obvious one given the shared history and values of the two institutions.

“The Tour de France, like the train, is France’s countryside, France’s people, France’s landscapes“, he said to reporters.

The former prime minister also recalled that the route of the very first Tour de France in 1903 had been designed around railway stations to enable spectators and organizers to follow the race.

The train and cycling at the heart of decarbonized mobility

Beyond the historical symbol, SNCF intends to highlight decarbonized mobility through this partnership. “Bicycling and rail travel are future forms of mobility,” emphasized Jean Castex, who also pointed to the group’s plan to further enhance bike-related services at stations and on trains.

Among the main announcements, SNCF Voyageurs will for the first time provide the teams and riders with a specially chartered TGV INOUI to ensure the transfer between the Alps and the Île-de-France region on July 25, following the Alpe d’Huez stage.

A train decorated in the colors of the partnership will then carry the cyclists to Paris before the final arrival on the Champs-Élysées.

Christian Prudhomme hailed “a partnership that makes sense“, underscoring the many historical ties between rail and the Grande Boucle.

“SNCF and the Tour de France bring people together and unite territories“, he stated. The Tour director also recalled that train transfers were part of the event’s history before being gradually abandoned in recent years, notably after the health crisis.

Animations planned in French railway stations

This partnership will also be expressed through several events across the territories traversed by the races. Photo exhibitions will be organized at the Gare Bordeaux Saint-Jean, Chambéry and Dijon stations to highlight the landscapes and stages of the Tour de France and the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift.

The women’s component of the competition has indeed been fully integrated into this agreement. In a video message shown at the press conference, Marion Rousse, director of the Tour de France Femmes with Zwift, lauded “an institution as prestigious as SNCF” for joining women’s cycling. “This demonstrates that gender parity matters and that women’s sport continues to grow,” she explained.

This rapprochement strengthens SNCF’s strategy around major sporting events, following the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the 2023 Rugby World Cup. For the Tour organizers, it also serves to reaffirm the event’s territorial and popular roots that bring together nearly 10 million spectators each summer on French roads.

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Eurostar Reaches 20 Million Passengers and Plans Up to 50 New Trains

July 28, 2026 by Amara Nambinga

Eurostar mise sur le nouveau train Celestia, Depsositphotos.com, Photo by Andrei Antipov

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In 2025, Eurostar carried 20 million passengers, marking a solid 3% growth (+500,000 travelers) in a single year.

On the ground, growth is particularly remarkable from the Paris hub: +6.7% for Paris–Amsterdam, +5% for Paris–London, and +3.7% for Paris–Brussels.

To translate this success into sustained demand and absorb this rising volume, Eurostar’s leadership is activating a major lever: an ambitious investment program of 2 billion euros for the acquisition of a new fleet of trains named “Celestia” (capable of up to 50 sets).

Celestia Fleet: Eurostar’s Big Move

A very concrete milestone has just been reached with the payment of an initial 90 million euros to the manufacturer Alstom.

The objective of this new fleet is twofold: on one hand, dramatically increase capacity on existing lines; on the other hand, pursue new strategic markets and open highly anticipated direct international links: London-Frankfurt, London-Geneva or Amsterdam/Brussels-Geneva.

Goal: 100% Renewable Energy by 2030

To deliver a complete customer experience, the company tends its infrastructures, such as the new cross-Channel terminal in Amsterdam, where more than €20 million has been invested to triple capacity.

But Eurostar pushes the sustainability agenda even further by integrating circular economy principles directly into its product (composting of food waste, redistribution of unsold items). For Gwendoline Cazenave, Eurostar’s Chief Executive, the trajectory is clear: the company builds the future of sustainable mobility in Europe with the ultimate aim of powering 100% of its trains with renewable electricity by 2030.

On the business side, the results validate the approach. With revenue above €2 billion (+1.7%) and EBITDA of €337 million, Eurostar demonstrates its financial strength, confirmed by progressive deleveraging (gross debt reduced to €520 million in April 2026).