On Monday 28 October, the Finnish Presidency of the Council of the European Union submitted to the experts from the Land Transport Working Party a third draft compromise on the recast of Regulation (1371/2007) regarding rail passengers’ rights and obligations.
While this document, of which EUROPE received a copy, remains very similar to the second draft compromise proposed by the Presidency on 14 October (see EUROPE 12352/8), some changes are nevertheless to be noted.
The text introduces, for example, a new case in which railway companies could restrict a passenger's right to travel with their bicycle. Thus, in addition to being able to restrict this right when "rolling stock does not allow it" or for operational or safety reasons, railway companies could also prohibit a passenger from travelling with their bicycle because of its weight and dimensions.
With regard to the purchase of tickets by a disabled person, the Presidency adds a new obligation for railway companies, namely to inform disabled persons on how to obtain tickets when there are no staff on board the train.
In addition, the text differs slightly from the second draft compromise as regards the travel conditions of the personal assistant of a person with reduced mobility or disability. In this third version, it is provided that the personal assistant may travel at a special fare and, if necessary, free of charge and sit, if possible, next to the disabled person.
In addition, in the event that a railway undertaking requires a disabled person to be accompanied on board the train, it is suggested that the accompanying person should have the right to travel free of charge and to sit, if possible, next to the disabled person.
Finally, in the case of re-routing, the text proposes that passengers should be entitled to compensation, not only in the event of cancellation, but also when this results in a delay of more than 60 minutes.
While the Finnish Minister of Transport, Sanna Marin, hopes to reach a political agreement in the EU Council ('general approach') on rail passengers’ rights by December (see EUROPE 12303/6), the EU Council's Land Transport Working Party will discuss this third draft compromise on 6 November.
For its part, in the absence of a potential prospect of an interinstitutional agreement on this text before the end of the parliamentarians' previous mandate, the European Parliament adopted its position at first reading last November (see EUROPE 12138/7). (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)