A well-functioning rail passenger transport system is important not only from a transport and climate policy point of view, but also from an economic and social perspective. The implementation of four railway packages was an attempt to increase the modal split in favour of rail. After more than 30 years, sufficient data are now available to conduct a serious scientific study to determine the success criteria on which a modal shift to rail is based.

Tim Engartner investigates the functionality of rail passenger transport in several European countries, thereby closing a research gap. The comparison covers rail passenger transport in Germany, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden and Switzerland. National developments were analyzed in order to identify the factors necessary for well-functioning rail passenger services. On the basis of this study, it can be said that a well-functioning European railway system is characterised by cooperation and coordination, as well as investment and innovation.