Rail transport is undergoing a period of rapid transformation, fueled not only by investments in infrastructure and rolling stock, but also by changing passenger expectations. As rail traffic returns to and even exceeds pre-pandemic levels, time spent on trains is taking on a new value: it is no longer perceived exclusively as a transit interval, but as an integral part of the travel experience.
A study by Moment, a company specializing in digital solutions for rail transport, provides a detailed picture of how passengers spend their time on board and the implications of these behaviors for rail operators.
The return of rail traffic and more time spent on board
Globally, passenger rail transport is on an upward trend. According to the data analyzed in the study, rail traffic has increased from approximately 2.6 trillion passenger-km in 2022 to 3.7 trillion passenger-km in 2025, amid the recovery of mobility and decarbonization policies.
This development is accompanied by an increase in the average duration of journeys, particularly through the return of night trains and the development of long-distance international services.
Examples such as the relaunch of the Nightjet and European Sleeper networks and the expansion of night trains in several European countries indicate a paradigm shift: passengers are once again accepting longer train journeys, provided that the on-board experience is comfortable and predictable.
The smartphone, the traveler’s main “partner”
The study data clearly shows that mobile devices dominate the time spent on board. Approximately 71% of passengers use their smartphones during the trip, while 29% use laptops or tablets, either for work or entertainment.
On average, passengers spend about 48 minutes using digital platforms or infotainment systems on a journey of approximately four hours.
This duration is significant and indicates that digital interaction is not occasional, but a constant component of the travel experience.
What type of content is consumed on trains
Consumption preferences differ by age, but the study highlights some common trends. Video content takes center stage, with the most popular genres including:
- drama, accounting for approximately 17.5% of consumption;
- action, accounting for 16%;
- comedy, accounting for 14.5%.
The Gen Z and young adult (25–34) segment stands out with high consumption of video on demand, social media, and anime content, while older passengers tend to prefer news, documentaries, or general browsing.
These differences suggest that standardizing the digital offering on trains may no longer be sufficient as passenger profiles become increasingly diverse.
Wi-Fi, from competitive advantage to basic utility
Connectivity is one of the central elements of the new rail experience. According to the study, 78% of passengers consider Wi-Fi access essential, while 70% say they frequently experience interruptions or unstable connections.
This discrepancy between expectations and reality highlights one of the major challenges for rail operators. As trains travel at higher speeds and pass through areas with variable coverage, maintaining a stable connection becomes increasingly complex from a technical standpoint and costly.
However, from the passengers’ perspective, Wi-Fi is no longer perceived as a premium service, but as a minimum requirement for productivity, entertainment, or communication.
Why this data matters to rail operators
Beyond passenger satisfaction, the behaviors observed have direct implications for the economic model of rail transport. The Moment study shows that on-board digital platforms can become sources of ancillary revenue through aviation-inspired services: food orders, destination services, premium content, or commercial partnerships.
In a context of rising operating costs and high pressure to maintain affordable fares, these secondary revenues take on strategic importance.
At the same time, they can contribute to differentiating operators in an increasingly competitive market, especially on international and long-distance routes.
The train, between mobility and temporary living space
The conclusion that emerges from the data analysed is that the train is no longer just a means of transport, but a temporary living space, where passengers work, relax or consume digital content.
This reality is forcing rail operators to rethink their priorities, from investments in connectivity and infotainment to how the rail product as a whole is defined.
In the long term, the on-board experience could become a decisive factor in choosing between train, plane, or car, especially for medium and long distances.
In this context, time spent on the train is no longer an inevitable “cost” of travel, but an opportunity—both for passengers and operators.
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