The independent travel booking platform, Trainline, has recently announced the appointment of Pedro García as its new General Manager for Europe. In this role, García will spearhead the company’s growth and expansion in key markets, including France, Italy, and Spain. This move comes at a time when Europe’s rail liberalization continues to advance, transforming mobility across the continent. As García takes the reins, he’s poised to build on the momentum Trainline has gained in recent years, driven by its commitment to harnessing technological innovation to make rail travel more accessible and convenient for passengers.
Since joining Trainline in 2023 as Country Manager for Spain, García has overseen significant developments in the company’s mission to bring the benefits of liberalization to its customers. This has ultimately led to an increase in rail usage in Spain, with Trainline selling over 11 million tickets in the country since 2021. Notably, a recent study revealed that 18% of tickets sold by the platform in Spain are incremental, meaning they represent journeys that would not have been made if Trainline did not exist. García’s leadership has been instrumental in integrating the capabilities of Spain’s three high-speed rail operators, as well as the recent addition of Catalonia’s Cercanías and Rodalies services. This has made Trainline the first platform to allow users to combine high-speed and commuter train tickets in one place, streamlining the booking process and enhancing the overall travel experience.
The expansion of García’s role comes at a critical juncture for the European rail sector, as liberalization opens up new opportunities for both passengers and operators. In Spain, competition among operators has led to significant price reductions on key routes, such as the Madrid-Barcelona line, where prices have dropped by up to 58% since the market opened up. Similarly, Italy has been a prime example of the benefits of liberalization, with competition driving down prices by 40% and doubling passenger numbers on important routes like Milan-Roma. As García noted, “It’s an honor to take on this new challenge at Trainline, especially at a time when liberalization is transforming mobility in Europe. I’m excited to support our mission to make train travel more accessible and offer users a simpler, more personalized, and connected experience, which will ultimately attract more people to trains and help Europe achieve its sustainability goals.” With his expertise and vision, García is well-positioned to drive Trainline’s continued growth and success in the European market.