The Transport and Tourism Committee voted on Tuesday in favour of a European Commission proposal focused on speeding up a more uniform application of the rules of railway passenger rights and removing exemptions to regional services, representing most of the European rail traffic.

The main objective is to better inform and protect passengers in case of delays, cancellations or discrimination regardless where they travel in the EU like for instance, that they can take the next service available in case of a missed connection due to delay or cancellation.

It also aligns rail with general aspects of passenger rights legislation on other transport modes, (i.e. non-discrimination, contingency planning, disability training, complaint-handling and enforcement) without imposing an excessive financial burden on rail industry.

Our shadow rapporteur Jens Rohde (DK), who is also a very experimented train traveller, said: “The core issues for ALDE have been a real compulsory through ticket, to ask Commission for a standardised Union complaint form, and to ensure that, in case of missed connection due to delay or cancellation during a journey, a passenger will be allowed to take the next service available.

In addition, I am happy that the proposal focuses on better rights for persons with disabilities or reduced mobility as well as passengers travelling with bicycles.”

The requested standardised Union complaint form is an ALDE proposal. Like in aviation, the form does not substitute the others already existing and but it can be used instead and it must be accepted. This can be very helpful for those passengers travelling cross border who don’t know the language of a country but can use the EU complaint form to ask for compensation.