Why were night trains withdrawn in the past?
For a decade, night trains across Europe were being scrapped, as low-cost airlines made flying cheaper and faster. Now several routes are returning. Operators say that passengers, worried about the carbon cost of flights, are willing to spend a night on the rails if the experience is comfortable. New carriages have private showers and lockable doors, which were missing from older stock. Critics point out that tickets can cost more than a flight, and that journeys across borders are often held up by incompatible signalling systems. Supporters reply that waking up in a city centre, without an airport transfer, makes up for the extra hours.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Cheap air travel made them less competitive
- Step 1: Find the part of the text that deals with this. Step 2. The first sentence gives the reason. Answer: Cheap air travel made them less competitive. Why not the others: The text links the closures to low-cost airlines, not to safety, dislike or building costs.
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