German-French Assembly for the Preservation of Night Trains Berlin-Paris - Night Train Between Berlin and Paris Faces Uncertainty After French Subsidy Withdrawal
The night train connection between Berlin and Paris, a key link between the capital cities of France and Germany, has faced a setback. After resuming service in October 2023, it will cease operation on December 14 due to the withdrawal of French state subsidies. This move has sparked efforts to save the line, with the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly involved.
The night train, operated jointly by Deutsche Bahn, ÖBB, SNCF, and NMBS/SNCB, had become well-established with three weekly trips. Plans were in place to increase service to daily trips starting in October 2024. However, the French government threatened to end subsidies by December 2025 due to the operators not meeting the promise of daily trains and SNCF's lack of ticket sales and promotion.
The Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) announced the discontinuation of the service as of December 14, citing the withdrawal of French state subsidies of around €10 million per year. This decision has been met with concern, as night trains were declared top priority projects in the Treaty of Aachen from 2019, aiming to strengthen bilateral cooperation between France and Germany. The Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly, consisting of 50 members from the Bundestag and 50 members from the Assemblée nationale, held its first meeting in March 2019 to discuss such initiatives.
The discontinuation of the night train service between Berlin and Paris has raised concerns about the future of cross-border cooperation. Efforts are underway to save the line, with the Franco-German Parliamentary Assembly playing a key role. The future of the service remains uncertain, pending further discussions and potential solutions.
