EuroCity Express, or short ECE, is a category of Eurocity train marketed by Deutsche Bahn that runs on two routes as of 2021. It was created to classify a newly introduced international high speed train service in a higher category - equivalent to the Intercity-Express (ICE) - than the existing Eurocity, which is equivalent to the "second tier" domestic Intercity (IC).
History
The train category was newly created with the timetable change on December 10, 2017, because the Frankfurt-Milan connection, operated with an ETR 610 of the Swiss Federal Railways, offers ICE-like travel times and comfort, according to Deutsche Bahn. Because the train would have been classified as an EC only in the second highest train category, the new EuroCity-Express category was created in line with the ICE, which is equivalent to the ICE in terms of fares.[1]
With the change of timetable on December 13, 2020, ECE trains operated by ETR 610 "Astoro" began service on the partially new electrified line between Munich and Zurich. In the medium term, the German Federal Minister of Transport, Andreas Scheuer, is aiming to integrate these connections into his concept of a "Trans-Europ-Express 2.0".[2]
Services
Frankfurt–Milano
The first ECE line, introduced in 2017, runs from Frankfurt Central Station via Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Freiburg and Basel to Milano Centrale station. The train is only operated as ECE in Germany (Frankfurt (Main) Hbf to Basel Bad Bf); in Switzerland and Italy, the train type is EuroCity (EC). In terms of the timetable, this is an extension of the EC Milano Centrale–Basel SBB to the north.[3] As of 2025, the service operates as EC/ECE85:
- Frankfurt (Main)–Mannheim–Karlsruhe–Ringsheim–Freiburg–Basel Bad Bf–Basel SBB–Olten–Lucerne–Arth-Goldau–Bellinzona–Lugano–Chiasso–Como San Giovanni–Monza–Milano Centrale
Equipment
SBB's Alstom ETR 610 ("Astoro") are used: SBB RABe 503 022 was given a trinational design for the inauguration of the first ECE connection and was given the name Johann Wolfgang von Goethe at Basel SBB station on November 17, 2017.[6] SBB's Alstom ETR 610 trains with tilting technology are also in operation on the route between Munich and Zurich.[7]
Since 2024, SBB RABe 501 ("Giruno") trainsets are used on the Frankfurt (Main)–Milan line.[8]
Rate system
In Germany, the train is priced at the ICE fare. In Italy, on the other hand, it is sold as a regular EuroCity. In Switzerland, there is in general no differentiation in fares according to train category. In cross-border traffic to Italy, a global fare also applies, with a seat reservation included in the fare.[9]
See also
- High-speed rail in Germany
- Rail transport in Germany
References
- Nikolaus Doll. EuroCity-Express (ECE): Warum die Deutsche Bahn eine neue Zuggattung startet DIE WELT, 2017-10-17, retrieved 2021-07-12^
- Thomas Griesser Kym. Mehr Tempo auf der Schiene: Reisende aus der Ostschweiz fahren mit dem Zug bald geschwinder nach München St.Galler Tagblatt, retrieved 2021-07-12^
- Franziska Huber.