On 15 June 2026, UIC’s World Rail Tourism (TopRail) group of experts and Commuter and Regional Train Services (CRTS) groups met in Florence, Italy, for a joint meeting and technical visit hosted by Trenitalia and Fondazione FS Italiane, an Italian railway heritage foundation. The event brought together representatives from railway companies and industry stakeholders across Europe and Japan to discuss rail tourism, regional mobility, the customer experience, and railway heritage.
A key focus of the meeting was the advancement of several TopRail initiatives. Participants received updates on the European Erasmus+ Tour&Rail project, including the completion of a compendium covering 36 railway lines and ongoing comparative research on the role of railways in supporting regional development and social cohesion. Discussions also addressed Bike+Rail integration, highlighting both the opportunities and operational challenges of combining cycling and rail transport for tourism, especially in rural areas and on regional lines. In addition, members reviewed preliminary results from the proposed UIC Heritage Group initiative, which aims to support the preservation and operation of historic railway rolling stock. Participants also discussed passenger assistance during service disruptions, with plans to develop a survey and future workshop dedicated to sharing best practices among railway undertakings.
During the CRTS meeting, members shared views on Public Service Obligation (PSO) contracts across Europe, explored a potential collaboration with the International Association of Public Transport (UITP) on commuter rail indicators, and reviewed the success of the first African edition of the UIC CRTS training programme.
The group also received an update on the upcoming CRTS training programme, to be held in Barcelona from 28 to 30 October 2026 with the support of Catalan Government Railways (FGC), continuing UIC’s efforts to promote knowledge sharing and professional development in the field of regional and commuter rail services.
Members also gave presentations to highlight innovative approaches to rail tourism and the customer experience. West Japan Railway Company (JR West) showcased the West Express Ginga, a tourism-oriented overnight train designed to promote regional destinations across western Japan through unique onboard experiences and local partnerships. FGC presented its recent tourism initiatives, including its new Tourist Train Passport and destination-based tourism programmes linking railway stations with cultural and heritage attractions in Catalonia.
The technical visit included presentations by Fondazione FS Italiane on the preservation and regeneration of Italy’s railway heritage, followed by a visit to the Pistoia Historic Rolling Stock Maintenance Centre. Participants were able to gain insight into the restoration of historic rolling stock and the importance of preserving specialised railway expertise for future generations.
The Florence meeting highlighted the growing connections between rail tourism, regional passenger services, and heritage preservation. By sharing experiences and best practices, participants reinforced the role of railways as a driver of sustainable mobility, tourism, and regional development.
The discussions held during the joint TopRail and CRTS meeting were further enriched on the following day through participation in the Tour&Rail conference “Low Traffic, High Value: Activating the Potential of Rail Services in Europe’s Rural Areas”, hosted by the University of Florence. As a dissemination event of the Erasmus+ Tour&Rail project, the conference brought together railway companies, tourism stakeholders, public authorities, and researchers to examine how tourism can enhance the value and long-term viability of regional rail services in rural areas. Through presentations on the Tour&Rail project findings, case studies from the Douro and Aulla–Lucca lines, and a round table involving railway companies and academic experts, participants explored how stronger cooperation between rail and tourism can contribute to regional cohesion and development, as well as sustainable mobility across Europe. This provided a fitting conclusion to two days of discussions focused on the future of regional railways, rail tourism, and the sustainable development of rural areas.
For more information please visit:
- The TopRail website and the UIC CRTS page for more information about the initiative and future meetings.
- The official Tour&Railwebsite to learn more about the Erasmus+ Tour&Rail project, its activities, and results.
- The dissemination event webpage to find additional information on “Low Traffic, High Value: Activating the Potential of Rail Services in Europe’s Rural Areas”.
