The general approach agreed by the Council on the Rail Passenger’s Rights Regulation does not improve on the already weak rights of passengers with reduced mobility.
- Pre-notification for receiving assistance at railway stations would remain 48 hours
- Assistance would only have to be provided when staff is present, even if trains are arriving and departing earlier or later
- Requirements for staff training would not be improved
It is deeply disappointing to see that EU countries are putting the interest of train companies ahead of the rights of train passengers, despite our campaigning and EU countries’ ratification the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is unacceptable: millions of passengers with reduced mobility regularly get stranded at train stations due to lack of accessibility and prompt assistance.
The European Parliament’s approach is the only one that truly advances the rights of passengers with reduced mobility, and we will campaign for it to be the final text.
Yannis Vardakastanis, President of the European Disability Forum:
The Council’s general approach bears more resemblance to a rail companies’ rights bill than a rail passenger’s rights bill. We will strongly advocate for the European Parliament’s position during ongoing negotiations. We call on EU countries to make provisions to ensure equal access to train travel to everyone.
Related notes
- Train travel is the future – short statement [51 Kb DOC]