Britain reaches deal to stay in Interrail scheme following row
Britain will keep its membership of the European Interrail scheme following a row in which the UK rail body claims it was pushed out.
The Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which represents UK train operators, said it had reached an agreement with Eurail, the company that runs the scheme that allows travel across Europe with a single ticket.
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Yesterday it was reported that UK rail journeys from January 2020 would not be covered by either the Interrail or Eurail passes, meaning that travel around the UK will require both UK and non-UK pass holders to use a separate ticket.
But Robert Nisbet, RDG director of nations and regions, said the negative reaction to the reports had brought Eurail back to the negotiating table.
“Britain’s train companies never wanted to leave Interrail,” he said. “Following the strong reaction to news of our departure we and Eurail, the company which runs Interrail, renewed talks.
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“We are pleased to be able to tell passengers that we have reached an agreement and will be remaining part of both the Interrail and Eurail passes.”
Yesterday Eurail general manager, Carlo Boselli, said that RDG’s “priority to secure a competitive position” for the BritRail pass – which allows travel around Britain” had led it to “pull out of Interrail and Eurail”.