The European rail sector is reaching a major turning point, with significant developments reshaping the train travel landscape. The latest Go4Rail webinar, hosted by Rebecca Xerri, CMO at S4BT – Solutions for Business Travel, brought together Antoine Grebot, Head of Sales at Goelett, and Benjamin Malaterre, Senior Account Manager at Trainline, to analyse these transformations and share solutions that simplify booking, ensure travel policy compliance, and address CSR challenges.
A European rail network in transition
Competition is intensifying across European rail routes with the arrival of players such as Trenitalia and Renfe, alongside the gradual liberalisation of regional rail services (TER) in France, expected by 2030. For companies, this means more choice and opportunities, but also greater complexity. Travel managers must handle multiple inventories, varied pricing, and different terms, while still delivering a seamless and consistent experience for travelers.
As Benjamin Malaterre explains:
“European rail is becoming a real lever for sustainable travel. Our role is to aggregate these flows in a way that is clear and usable for everyone, regardless of the operator.”
The entry of new players on strategic routes is accelerating innovation and encouraging companies to rethink their travel strategies. At the same time, the growing importance of CSR is reshaping travel policies, with businesses increasingly favouring rail for medium-distance journeys in order to reduce the environmental impact of business travel.
Goelett: simplifying booking and empowering smarter choices
Through the integration of rail content via Trainline, Goelett centralises all available options, from SNCF to emerging European operators, within a single platform. Travelers gain clear visibility on schedules, fares, and onboard services, while travel managers benefit from reliable data, including CO₂ emissions indicators, to better steer their CSR strategy.
As Antoine Grebot highlights:
“Our goal is to make every train booking simple and transparent, giving travelers all the information they need to make the right choice, while remaining fully aligned with company travel policies.”
The digitalisation of processes, including electronic invoicing and CO₂ reporting, allows companies to better track, measure, and optimise their carbon footprint, while meeting increasing expectations around sustainability and environmental transparency.
A seamless rail experience, even on the go
With the Goelett mobile app, booking a train becomes even faster and more intuitive. Users can compare options, select the most relevant journey, and complete their booking in just a few clicks—while staying aligned with company objectives and travel policies.
Key trends
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Short- and medium-distance rail journeys are increasingly replacing domestic flights, even for trips of 4 to 5 hours.
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Night trains are gaining popularity for trans-European business travel.
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The most in-demand B2B routes remain Paris–Lyon, Paris–Brussels, Paris–London, and Paris–Frankfurt, where competition is driving improvements in pricing and service quality.
In this context, smooth booking processes, data standardisation, and access to diverse rail content are becoming critical to delivering an optimal travel experience.
Looking ahead
As the rail ecosystem becomes both more complex and inherently more sustainable, Goelett and Trainline support companies by aggregating European rail content and standardising data, helping organisations navigate change while aligning performance, traveler experience, and sustainability goals.
For any questions or further information, please contact us at: communication@goelett.com
