The EU established a set of basic rights for rail passengers. These rights provide for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, a harmonised minimum level of protection, information and assistance. Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, gives a statement following the vote on his report by the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The vote was approved by 36 for, 6 against and 4 abstentions.

Brussels

statement

meeting

vote

Committee on Transport and Tourism

LIBERADZKI, Bogusław (S&D, PL)

railway package (T)

single European railway area (T)

2021 European Year of Rail (T)

Railway regulation - passengers rights and obligations: statement by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), TRAN Committee

Title: Railway regulation - passengers rights and obligations: statement by Bogus&#322;aw LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PL), TRAN Committee

Arrival of MEP Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PL) (1 shot)

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogus&#322;aw LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PL), After a delay of 100 minutes and more, passengers will be compensated up to 50% of the ticket price, plus the railway will take responsibility for delayed caused by missed trains connections, the same ticket is valid for next nearest train of the same quality. If it is at midnight or if there is no available train, the railway takes the responsibility on passengers to spend and to finance a nightly stay at a hotel, for instance, to take care on the person because it's a matter of quality of services.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogus&#322;aw LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PT), We should also realise that passenger who takes journey, for instance, in the first category railway or if his destination is at the lowest station, stations should then be notified when somebody arrives with disabilities : what are the categories of disabilities and how to arrange assistance to this person.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogus&#322;aw LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PL), It is the first time in the European Union that we are going to introduce such a facilitation for all people of different categories of disabilities, that everybody is satisfied with that. Somebody would like to have no or zero pre-notification. But also on the other side, we have railway undertakings, we have real life where such a pre-notification is required. Why ? because for small railway stations, we cannot keep stuff ready to serve people on 24 hours a day. So they should arrange it and we should be given a chance to arrange with 12 hours or 24 hours. It's the time for arrangements of professional taking care.

SOUNDBITE (English), Bogus&#322;aw LIBERADZKI (S&amp;D, PL), Two countries where they have no railways are in Cyprus and Malta. Everybody else should follow this regulation as a minimum requirement. Everybody is entitled to offer more, but the minimum standards should be the same. So passengers should expect exactly the same all over the European Union's territory.

Illustrations of railways, stations, passengers, trains,... (12 shots)