Brussels, 15/02/2011 (Agence Europe) - By the spring of 2013, bus and coach passenger rights will have been strengthened. People using these modes of transport for longer distance journeys will be eligible for compensation and assistance in the event of delays, cancellations or accidents. People with disabilities or reduced mobility will receive care from trained personnel (EUROPE 10305). Meeting for the plenary meeting on Tuesday 15 February, the EP adopted the report by Antonio Cancian (EPP, Italy) by an overwhelming majority (504 votes in favour, 63 against, with 89 abstentions). After two years of negotiations, this approves the regulation setting out bus and coach passenger rights.
The commissioner for transport, Siim Kallas, declared: “The European Commission regards this text as an excellent compromise but we now need to respond to the challenge posed by implementation”. The Commission may produce proposals at a European level for passenger rights legislation, explained the commissioner. Most of the MEPs consider that adoption of the directive it is a “step in the right direction”, but the compromise text negotiated with the Council has not completely eradicated all controversy. Speaking on behalf of ALDE, which abstained during the vote, Gesine Meissner from Germany regretted the absence of a “genuine European solution”. Vilja Savisaar from Estonia was speaking on behalf of the same group and explained that the 250 km rule (the directive does not apply to shorter distances) regrettably excluded three possible fields of application. Speaking on behalf of the EPP Group, Mathieu Grosch from Belgium wanted a “consolidated version” of passenger legislation. Speaking for the Socialist group, Brian Simpson from the United Kingdom highlighted the progress contained within the compromise offer for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility. Saïd El Khadraoui from Belgium was speaking on behalf the same group and said that “it would be logical that all cross-border services” are covered by the same legislation. According to Enikö Györi, the Hungarian minister for European affairs, the text of the regulation could be published in the EU Official Journal next March. It will apply two years after the date of its publication. (A.By./L.G./transl.fl)