EU adopts interpretative guidelines to clarify rail sector rules

The European Union (EU) has adopted interpretative guidelines clarifying the existing rules in the rail sector, said the European Commission on Friday.

Addressed to the rail transport industry and to national authorities, the guidelines seek to clarify and strengthen the application and enforcement of rail passenger rights in the EU, said the Commission in a statement.

In particular, an assessment of the implementation of the regulation on rail passengers' rights and obligations and of the relevant case law of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) pointed at a need to clarify the following points: information, delays, cancellations and missed connections, rights of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, complaint handling, enforcement and cooperation between national authorities, said the Commission.

"Transport is not about infrastructure, tracks, trains or trucks, it is about people... Under its leadership, the EU became the first area in the world where passengers have guaranteed rights across all forms of transport," said Violeta Bulc, EU Commissioner for Transport.

"I therefore call on all member states to ensure that EU legislation is correctly applied. The rail guidelines adopted today will provide some assistance. I also hope that the discussions in the Council on a new Regulation in the air sector can move forward, for the benefit of EU citizens," added the Commissioner. Endit