Hitachi Rail

Better Connected Report 2025

Accelerating the Global Shift to Sustainable Travel

When it comes to transport, the way people get from A to B must undergo a major, permanent, sustainable transition.

The mobility industry is undergoing a profound transformation, shaped by rapid urbanization, growing environmental concerns, evolving passenger expectations and continued technological advancement. In this changing context, rail has a unique opportunity to become the backbone of a highly accessible, increasingly efficient, low-carbon and passenger-centric mobility ecosystem.

To better anticipate how attitudes and behaviours are evolving, we conducted a survey of over 11,000 passengers across 9 countries. The insights gathered provide a rich and timely insight into how rail can respond to future needs by becoming more sustainable, more integrated and more aligned with what really matters to passengers.

A key takeaway is the crucial role of digitalization in the mobility of the future. Digital technologies are redefining how passengers interact with transport services - with seamless journey planning, real-time updates, smart ticketing and personalized travel experiences. These technologies enhance the efficiency, safety and resilience of rail infrastructure, helping operators and authorities better adapt to changing demand and manage resources more effectively.

What Motivates Global Travel Decisions?

When it comes to transport, the way people get from A to B must undergo a major, permanent, sustainable transition. The Better Connected Report 2025, incorporating the opinions of more than 11,000 people across a mix of countries and a host of cities, provides answers to some of the big questions in this space.

What Will I Learn in This Year's Report?

  • What do people want from transport services?
  • Under what circumstances would they switch to lower-impact forms of mobility?
  • And, by extension: what can governments do quickly and cheaply to ensure the modal shift happens?

The report is also available to download in French, German, Italian, and Spanish.