Close Menu
    Latest Category
    • Finance
    • Tech
    • EU Law
    • Energy
    • About
    • Contact
    EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politicsEUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
    Login
    • EU News
    • Focus
    • Guides
    • Press
    • Jobs
    • Events
    • Directory
    EUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politicsEUbusiness.com | EU news, business and politics
    Home » EU upgrades rights for rail passengers

    EU upgrades rights for rail passengers

    npsBy nps5 May 2021 No Comments3 Mins Read
    — Filed under: Consumer EU News Headline2 Tourism Transport
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email
    EU upgrades rights for rail passengers

    Rail passenger – Image by Vladimir Lopez on Pixabay

    (STRASBOURG) – Under the new revised rules on rail passengers’ rights adopted by MEPs on Thursday, train passengers will be better protected when there are delays and cancellations or when they face discrimination.

    The rules will guarantee that passengers can be re-routed and receive help when there are delays and cancellations. Access and assistance will improve for people with reduced mobility, and there will be more dedicated spaces for bicycles.

    EP rapporteur Boguslaw Liberadzki MEP said this was good news for those travelling by train, “as we managed to secure the same minimum passenger rights all over the EU when it comes to re-routing, spaces for bikes, through-tickets and the rights of passengers with reduced mobility.

    Under the new rules, if there is a delay of over 60 minutes, passengers can choose either to be fully reimbursed for the cost of the ticket, continue on their journey or be re-routed under comparable conditions, but without facing additional costs. They must be able to travel in the same class as their original ticket. Train travellers will be able to organise travel on a different route themselves and get reimbursement for a new ticket if the rail operator does not communicate re-routing options within 100 minutes from scheduled departure.

    The re-routing obligations will apply even in the event of force majeure and if necessary, meals and refreshments will need to be provided, and accommodation costs will be reimbursed.

    The new rules will also give more clarity on what can be considered a force majeure, which would exempt rail companies from paying compensation for delays or cancellations. In addition to extreme weather conditions and major natural disasters, the new rules now include major public health crises or terrorist attacks. Rail staff strikes will not be covered by this exemption.

    Travellers with reduced mobility will have more flexibility when making travel arrangements, as they will be obliged to notify the operator of their travel plans only 24 hours in advance (under current rules, they have to notify the operator 48 hours in advance). Where an accompanying person is required, they shall travel free of charge. Travellers with reduced mobility using an assistance dog shall be given a guarantee that the animal can travel with them.

    In an effort to provide more sustainable mobility and comfortable alternatives, all trains must be equipped with dedicated spaces and racks for bicycles, with at least four bicycle spaces on each train.

    The revised rules will apply in principle to all international and domestic rail journeys and services throughout the EU, with a possibility for member states to exempt domestic rail services for a limited time.

    The rules will enter into force 20 days after they are published in the Official Journal of the EU. They will start to apply two years later, with the exception of the bicycle space requirements, which will be applicable four years after the entry into force of the regulation.

    Further information, European Parliament

    Draft rules on rail passengers’ rights and obligations

    Procedure file

    Add A Comment
    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    You must be logged in to post a comment.

    nps
    • Website

    Related Content

    Danish presidency decorations - Photo © European Union 2025

    New Danish EU presidency aims to deliver on security and competitiveness

    Euro - ECB-Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

    Eurozone investor sentiment remains upbeat – Euro currency news daily

    Van driver - Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels

    Risk Management Strategies for Your Delivery Business

    Accessibility - Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels

    EU accessibility act into force for key digital products

    Christophe Hansen - Photo © European Union 2025

    EU agrees new trade deal with Ukraine

    Space satellites - Photo by Kevin Stadnyk on Unsplash

    EU cuts red tape in space

    LATEST EU NEWS
    Danish presidency decorations - Photo © European Union 2025

    New Danish EU presidency aims to deliver on security and competitiveness

    1 July 2025
    Euro - ECB-Photo by Mika Baumeister on Unsplash

    Eurozone investor sentiment remains upbeat – Euro currency news daily

    1 July 2025
    Accessibility - Photo by RDNE Stock project on Pexels

    EU accessibility act into force for key digital products

    30 June 2025
    Christophe Hansen - Photo © European Union 2025

    EU agrees new trade deal with Ukraine

    30 June 2025
    Space satellites - Photo by Kevin Stadnyk on Unsplash

    EU cuts red tape in space

    30 June 2025

    Subscribe to EUbusiness Week

    Get the latest EU news

    CONTACT INFO

    • EUbusiness Ltd 117 High Street, Chesham Buckinghamshire, HP5 1DE United Kingdom
    • +44(0)20 8058 8232
    • service@eubusiness.com

    INFORMATION

    • About Us
    • Advertising
    • Contact Info

    Services

    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms
    • EU News

    SOCIAL MEDIA

    Facebook
    eubusiness.com © EUbusiness Ltd 2025

    Design and developed by : 

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Lost password?