EU Passenger Rights Legislation: Welcome Protection for Passengers

Severe delays on public transportation modes can have a significant negative impact on passengers. This article summarizes European Union legislation regarding passenger rights in public transportation. The basic goals of EU passenger rights legislation are to enforce the right to travel, offer an appropriate level of mobility for all, provide a minimum level of service quality across the EU, and facilitate fair competition. Since 2005, air passengers have been provided rerouting, reimbursement, compensation and assistance in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delays. In 2007, comprehensive rail regulation went into force concerning information provision; liability for passengers and luggage; obligations to passengers in the event of delay, mixed connections and cancellation; assistance for people with reduced mobility; complaint handling; and train and station security. Similar passenger rights regulations were adopted for maritime and inland waterway transportation in 2010 and bus and coach transportation in 2011. An information campaign has been launched to increase passenger awareness of their rights. A future step may be to develop a common code of passenger rights for all modes throughout the European Union.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/1016796X
• Authors:
  • Scherp, Jan
• Publication Date: 2011-5

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Illustrations; References;
• Pagination: pp 40-42
• Serial:
  • Public Transport International
  • Volume: 60
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: International Association of Public Transport (UITP)
  • ISSN: 1016-796X
  • Serial URL: http://www.uitp.org/publications/public-transport-magazine.cfm

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Customer service; Legal rights; Legislation; Passenger transportation; Passengers; Public information programs; Quality of service; Regulations
• Identifier Terms: European Union
• Uncontrolled Terms: Trip delays
• Subject Areas: Law; Passenger Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01353978
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Oct 19 2011 12:52PM