Most of European citizens are in favour of more competition in national and regional rail. The total support is above 60% in all but Netherlands and Luxembourg. 78% of EU citizens think that more competition will be good for passengers. The survey results published by the European Commission shows that tough less than half of Europeans are satisfied with their railway systems, satisfaction has slightly improved since 1997.

The latest Eurobarometer survey published by the European Commission shows that 71% of Europeans in favour of more competition in national and regional rail. For most Europeans, the opening to competition will have a positive influence on ticket prices, quality of services to passengers on the trains, comfort and cleanliness of trains, frequency of trains, punctuality of trains, the way railway companies are managed and the number of stations or routes which will be served. In June 2011, the Transport ministers reached an agreement on new rules to establish a more competitive rail market.

70% of EU citizens also wish that competition leads to "no-frills" rail services like those of low-cost airlines and 43% wish the development of premium services (meals, films, newspapers, etc.). Also, almost two-thirds of Europeans wish for more ways of buying tickets (e.g. online, via smartphones, or on board). The absolute majorities of Europeans expect that more competition in the rail market will be good for individual stakeholders, such us passengers, private rail operators and employees of rail transport operators.

In the coming months, the European Commission intends to adopt a new package of measures, the so-called 4th railway package, to open domestic passenger rail markets to competition, to reduce the time-to-market of the rolling stock and to improve the governance of railway infrastructure (to reinforce efficiency of railway operations and improve competition).