EPF German based member organisation PRO BAHN has welcomed the planned market entry of Italian high-speed operator Italo into Germany, describing it as a potentially positive development for passengers and for the rail sector as a whole. According to reports by Tagesschau, Italo intends to begin operating in Germany from 2028, investing around €3.6 billion in 30 new Siemens high-speed trains and targeting key long-distance routes such as Hamburg–Berlin–Munich and Munich–Cologne–Dortmund.

The move is seen as one of the most significant developments in German rail liberalisation in recent years. As highlighted by Tagesschau, Italo’s entry could intensify competition with Deutsche Bahn on some of Germany’s busiest high-speed corridors and potentially increase pressure to improve services and pricing.

In its latest press release, PRO BAHN welcomes this development in principle. More competition, the association argues, could lead to lower fares, improved quality and greater choice for passengers. However, PRO BAHN also stresses that competition must be shaped in a way that benefits the wider rail system and not only a limited number of profitable routes.

One of the main concerns raised is that new operators may focus only on major city-to-city corridors while less profitable but socially important connections are left behind. PRO BAHN therefore calls for a stronger public framework for long-distance rail services. This could include a neutral federal authority responsible for organising services through route bundles or concession models, ensuring that rail connectivity remains balanced across the country.

PRO BAHN also points to the issue of infrastructure capacity. Germany’s rail network is already heavily used, and the association warns that additional long-distance services must not come at the expense of regional trains. Regional services remain vital for everyday mobility, particularly for commuters and passengers in smaller towns and rural areas.

Ticketing and tariffs are another important issue. PRO BAHN calls for a common tariff framework across operators so that passengers can continue to travel flexibly, regardless of which company operates the train. Flexible tickets, subscriptions and discount cards should remain usable across different operators, avoiding fragmented ticketing systems that create uncertainty for passengers.

The Tagesschau article also highlights ongoing tensions over infrastructure access, with Italo reportedly filing a complaint with the Bundesnetzagentur (Federal Network Agency, or BNetzA) regarding train path allocation. This underlines the importance of transparent and fair market access if competition is to function effectively.

EPF supports PRO BAHN’s position and shares the view that increased competition can bring real benefits for passengers, but only if it goes hand in hand with strong passenger rights, integrated ticketing, fair access to infrastructure and protection of regional connectivity. Competition should strengthen the rail system as a whole, making it more attractive, accessible and reliable for all passengers.