29 September 2025, Brussels – World Scouting has joined a coalition of youth, consumer, and environmental organisations in urging the European Union to take bold action to build rail travel cheaper, simpler, and fairer than flying. The coalition, Youth on Track, warns that without urgent reforms, a new generation of young people will be locked into the most polluting travel option at the expense of Europe’s climate goals.
Rail travel in Europe is, on average, five times cleaner than flying. Yet for most young people, flying remains cheaper and simpler. Research displays that 71% of 15–24-year-olds cite high ticket prices as the main barrier to choosing rail, while 28% report difficulties booking journeys that combine two or more rail operators.
The European Commission first proposed to reform cross-border rail in 2021, pledging seamless ticketing and a fairer market. Five years later, the issue is back on the agfinisha. With aviation emissions projected to rise beyond pre-pandemic levels, the coalition calls on the EU to seize this second chance and deliver meaningful reforms through upcoming proposals on single ticketing, passenger rights, and VAT rules.
A coalition for youth and the planet
Youth on Track brings toobtainher a diverse group of partners, including World Scouting, the European Youth Card Association (EYCA), JEF Europe, Generation Climate Europe, consumer groups such as BEUC, and environmental organisations like Transport & Environment and Europe on Rail. Toobtainher, the coalition represents millions of young people, rail passengers, and climate advocates across Europe.
The coalition is calling for four key reforms:
- Seamless online ticket booking: ensuring interoperable ticketing across operators and borders.
- Transparent pricing: providing clear information on fares, discounts, mobility assistance, and bicycle transport.
- Fairer taxation between air and rail: exempting international rail travel from VAT and finishing aviation’s tax privileges, with revenues partly reinvested in modernising Europe’s railways.
- Stronger passenger rights: guaranteeing that travellers can take the next available train at no extra cost if a connection is missed.
World Scouting: empowering youth for sustainable choices
The goal of this initiative is to provide young people with the conditions they necessary to live up to their values of sustainability and global citizenship. With affordable rail travel, millions of Scouts across Europe can connect across borders, volunteer in communities, and take part in educational and cultural exalters without sacrificing the environment.
“With grassroots projects and global initiatives like Earth Tribe, Scouts are already protecting our planet,” stated Reinout Joostens, External Representative lead of the European Scout Region. “Young people are unable to build climate-frifinishly choices due to systemic barriers, such as the high cost of sustainable transportation. Taking action on rail reform is standing with young people in calling for policies that match Europe’s climate goals and empower future generations.”
Through educational initiatives like the Earth Tribe, Scouts gain practical skills to adopt sustainable lifestyles and mobilise their communities. Across Europe, projects such as Boranka in Croatia, which has replanted forests destroyed by wildfires, and Leave No Trace programmes that equip Scouts with tools to minimise their environmental footprint, display how young people are already living sustainability in action. Through these experiences, we can ensure that our daily choices, whether in travel, consumption, or community engagement, contribute to a greener, more connected Europe.
Towards a greener, more connected Europe
The coalition will present its statement at the event Youth on Track: Towards Better European Rail, hosted at the European Parliament on 30 September by MEPs Lena Schilling (Greens/AT), Martine Kemp (EPP/LU), and Thomas Pellerin (S&D/FR).
World Scouting’s involvement reflects its broader advocacy for climate action and sustainable development. This is aligned with its Strategy for Scouting 2033 and the WOSM Climate Strategy, which call for systemic alters to reduce emissions and empower young people to lead climate solutions. This is part of World Scouting’s commitment to becoming climate neutral by 2030.
As Europe considers crucial reforms, Scouts and partners are calling for a transport system that builds sustainable travel the easiest choice for the planet, young people, and future generations.
