EU rail rights on track

European rail passengers can look forward to compensation if their trains are delayed, following a vote by MEPs in Strasbourg.

The European Parliament has approved at first reading a new legislative package on railway services and competitiveness in the EU.

MEPs voted in favour on the ‘third railway package’ which has been cause of controversy over the future of European rail.

“This package represents for European railways a last chance to invert their negative trend, as over the last years they have been losing passengers to road, air and maritime transport,” said Paolo Costa MEP and chairman of the parliament’s committee on transport.

“This package represents a step forward in this direction and towards more competitive but consumer friendly modes of transport of passengers and freight."

The package backs new rail rights for passengers hit by delays or cancellations on both domestic and international journeys.

The four dimensional package – part of the EU’s drive to shift goods off the roads and onto rail - aims to open up cross border passenger services to competition, improve passenger rights, introduce an EU wide certificate for train drivers and boost the quality of freight services.

The draft regulation covers the right to compensation for lost or damaged luggage, death or injury of a passenger, delays, cancellations or missed connections as well as assistance to passengers in case of delay.

The report adopted widens the scope of the European Commission initial draft, but, EU transport chief Jacques Barrot welcomed the vote.

“The parliament's strong support will be crucial to attain our goal, which we can realistically expect by 2010 and not earlier."

"The European Parliament's amendment to also open up the market of national railway lines, however, is premature and is not justified economically,” he said.

“I am very pleased with the parliament's strong position on train passenger rights. Respect for passenger rights is essential to give a boost to the quality of railway traffic.”

The parliament is currently at odds with national governments over elements of the third railway package.

As, EU member states do not see the four files as a package and are pushing to progress with the European train driving licence proposal.

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