On trains and at stations: barrier-free travel for greater inclusion

When you think of travelling by train, you think of underpasses, escalators, platforms and train carriages. Simply hop on, find a free seat, relax and enjoy the peaceful journey. To ensure this is possible for all passengers, accessibility plays an important role at the CFL.

People with specific needs or a disability, in particular, rely on public transport for their daily journeys. The issue of independence and autonomy is even more important to people with reduced mobility or specific needs.

“Every passenger who wishes to travel by train should be able to do so without barriers.”

At the time of writing, 44 out of a total of 68 stations and stops in Luxembourg are already accessible. In practical terms, this means that the stations and on-site facilities are designed and equipped in such a way that travelling by train is also possible for people in wheelchairs, those with reduced mobility and people with disabilities.

“To ensure that travelling by train – whether with or without a disability – goes smoothly, many different areas need to be coordinated.” Patrick, a member of staff in the Safety and Environment department at the CFL, coordinates these activities and is in close contact with organisations such as InfoHandicap. He sums up his mission at the CFL simply: “Every customer who wants to travel by train should be able to do so without barriers.”

When it comes to accessibility, however, Patrick is going one step further and, together with InfoHandicap and the Ministry of the Economy’s Tourism Department, is checking whether the accessibility of the CFL stations meet even the most stringent criteria which are also applied in the tourism sector.

Twenty-seven stations have already been awarded the so-called EureWelcome label. Five more are set to follow in 2026.Seventeen further analyses and studies are currently underway to ensure that the stations in question can be fully accessible to everyone in future. The aim of achieving accessibility is therefore clearly being pursued, but the work required to achieve this is complex and time-consuming.

Assistance – just one phone call is all it takes

If people with reduced mobility wish to travel by train, the CFL’s staff will offer assistance, particularly if a stop or station is not yet fully accessible. By dialling 2489 2489, concerned customers will be put through to the ‘Service Gare’. For journeys within Luxembourg, simply call one hour in advance.

When travelling internationally, customers with reduced mobility should notify ‘Service Gare’ 24 hours in advance, as for some international services there is an additional assessment to determine the best way to plan the journey by train.

What criteria must be met to obtain the EureWelcome label?

•	Minimum number of accessible parking spaces in the immediate proximity of the stop / station
•	Wheelchair-accessible access to the platforms (lift)
•	Pavement with a maximum edge height of 2.5 cm
•	Minimum width of doors and corridors
•	High-contrast signage with large print
•	Additional wayfinding information in Braille
•	Tactile paving
•	Adapted toilet facilities at stations