The Commission proposed to make 2021 the European Year of Rail to support the delivery of its European Green Deal objectives in the transport field. A series of events, campaigns and initiatives in 2021 will promote rail as a sustainable, innovative and safe mode of transport. This proposal shall also help to step up the pace of rail modernisation, which is needed to make rail a more popular alternative to other transport modes.

New rules for rail passenegers, voted by the EP in April, will better protect and assist train travellers, by guaranteeing rerouting and helping passengers when their train is delayed or cancelled. The new law will also improve access and assistance to people with reduced mobility, and will help the introduction of more dedicated spaces for bicycles on trains.

2021 European Year of Rail

The European Parliament has always been a strong advocate of passenger rights irrespective of the mode of transport used. Its main aim is now to ensure that the texts adopted in recent years are properly applied.

Common rules have been drawn up in an effort to ensure that passengers receive at least a minimum level of assistance in the event of serious delays to or cancellation of their journey, irrespective of the mode of transport used, and, in particular, to protect more vulnerable travellers. The rules also provide for compensation schemes. A wide range of derogations may be granted for rail and road transport services, however, and court actions challenging the application of the rules are still common.

See more on this topic by visiting our <a href="https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/passenger-rights-8th-parliamentary-term_9702_pk">package</a> for the 8th parliamentary term.

Passenger rights

EP Plenary session - The importance of trans-European transport infrastructure in times of stalling economic growth and major threats to Europe’s security

EP Plenary session - European Year of Rail (2021)

2021 European Year of Rail - Illustration of the railway station in Brussels

2021 European Year of Rail - Illustration of railroad maintenance in Mulhouse

2021 European Year of Rail - Illustration of the railway station in Strasbourg

2021 European Year of Rail - Illustration of the TGV technical center of Bischheim

EP plenary session - Rail passengers' rights and obligations

Press conference on Rail passengers' rights and obligations

MEPs debated and approved the agreement with member states on the revised rules on rail passengers’ rights. 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. Extracts from the debate with Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, Sven SCHULZE (EPP, DE), Johan DANIELSSON (S&D, SE) and José Ramón BAUZÁ DÍAZ (Renew, ES), announcement of the results and illustrative shots.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: extracts from the debate (28/04) and from the vote (29/04)

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on rail passengers' rights and obligations (recast): closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: closing statement by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs (recast)

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on rail passengers' rights and obligations.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: MEPs debate (recast)

During the plenary session (26-29 April 2021) in the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on rail passengers' rights and obligations (recast): opening statements by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), rapporteur and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs. This transcription speech is the result of an automatic process. Check against delivery.

Rail passengers' rights and obligations: opening statements by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), rapporteur and by Ylva JOHANSSON, European Commissioner for Home Affairs (recast)

This infoclip illustrates the tests of the world's 1st hydrogen powered train. The Coradia iLint trains will be operated on nearly 100 kilometers of line running between Cuxhaven, Bremerhaven, Bremervorde and Buxtehude in Germany: views inside the train, passengers compartment, Hydrogen station, production factory of the train.

Infoclip: Railway - EU technology - Hydrogen train

The EU established a set of basic rights for rail passengers. These rights provide for all passengers, including those with reduced mobility, a harmonised minimum level of protection, information and assistance. Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), Rapporteur, gives a statement following the vote on his report by the Committee on Transport and Tourism (TRAN). The vote was approved by 36 for, 6 against and 4 abstentions.

Railway regulation - passengers rights and obligations: statement by Bogusław LIBERADZKI (S&D, PL), TRAN Committee

This infoclip illustrates the freight transport by rail and the Intermodal freight transport by container. Views of the Rhine Europe Terminals (RET), which is responsible for managing the container and heavy package terminals in Strasbourg and containers loading on trains. 2021 has been designated European Year of Rail, to stir debate on railways’ contribution to the European Green Deal and the environment.

Infoclip: Railway - Freight transport

During the plenary session (14-17/12) of the European Parliament in Brussels, MEPs debate on the European Year of Rail (2021). Statement by Anna DEPARNAY-GRUNENBERG (Greens/EFA, DE), Rapporteur, Adina-Ioana VĂLEAN, European Commissioner for Transport, Benoît LUTGEN (EPP, BE), Izaskun BILBAO BARANDICA (RE, ES), and Jakop DALUNDE (Greens/EFA, SE).

railway package (T)

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