UK Leaves Interrail Scheme — and Then Promptly Rejoins After Public Response
Photo Credit: Britain is out of Interrail Flickr / Alberto Michelotti
Skift Take
Britain's Rail Development Group contends it's not leaving the Interrail scheme for reasons related to Brexit. But the optics and timing of the move aren't great — not to mention it goes against several global trends in travel at the moment.
UPDATED: One day after leaving the scheme, the UK's Rail Delivery Group announced on Aug. 8 that they are rejoining after a "strong reaction" provoked renewed talks with Interrail.
https://twitter.com/RailDeliveryGrp/status/1159469766035349504
If there was a perfect symbol of the admirable aims of the European project, it might be the Interrail scheme. Started in 1972, it allows European citizens of certain age groups to use the rail and ferry networks of 31 countries with just one pass, at any pace they choose.
Thus, there couldn't be a more seemingly pointed time for the UK to leave this scheme than the few months before Brexit. The Rail Delivery Group (RDG) — a membership body which represents all the companies that make up Britain's rail network — announced Wednesday that effective next year, it would no longer be part of the Interrail scheme.
Importantly, Eurostar will not be affected by this change, meaning European travelers can travel from Europe to London via
