Executive summary sheet

Impact assessment: revision of Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations

A. Need for action

What is the problem and why is it a problem at EU level?

The main problems with the Regulation are linked to excessive national exemptions, the rights of passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility (PRMs), inadequate information, through-ticketing, complaint-handling, enforcement, discrimination based on nationality and compensation following force majeure events. These problems negatively affect the single market and prevent consistent enforcement. They may be exacerbated in a liberalised EU rail market.

What should be achieved?

1.to promote equal and strengthened rights for rail users in the EU; and

2.to enhance the rail sector's competitiveness without negatively impacting the rights of passengers.

What is the added value of action at EU level (subsidiarity)?

The current Regulation leaves room for interpretation, preventing consistent levels of passenger protection across the EU. The Member States cannot address these problems by acting alone. It therefore seems appropriate for the EU to act.

B. Solutions

What are the options for achieving the objectives? Is there a preferred option? If not, why?

What are the various stakeholders’ views? Who supports which option?

Most Member States and rail companies are reluctant to remove exemptions. Citizens are in favour of reducing exemptions and support measures to strengthen passengers’ rights. Most stakeholders are in favour of clearer rules, e.g. on assistance, complaint-handling and enforcement. Most rail companies and Member States are in favour of, and citizens are against, a force majeure clause.

C. Impacts of the preferred option

What are the benefits of the preferred option (if any, otherwise of main ones)?

The combination of preferred options provides a balanced approach to the potentially conflicting policy objectives. Reducing exemptions will increase passenger protection and legal certainty. Improvements for PRMs will encourage them to travel by rail and promote their social inclusion. Clear rules on through-ticketing will improve passengers’ rights on connecting services. A force majeure clause will ensure legal fairness and proportionality.

What are the costs of the preferred option (if any, otherwise of main ones)?

Rail companies’ costs are expected to increase by 4.98 % from the baseline scenario over a 15-year period.

What are the impacts on SMEs and competitiveness?

Only limited indirect effects on SMEs are expected.

Will there be significant impacts on national budgets and administrations?

Minor impacts are expected in view of enhanced NEB enforcement and complaint-handling.

Will there be other significant impacts?

No major additional impacts are expected.

Proportionality?

The current divergent application of the rules hinders the single market and prevents harmonised levels of passenger rights across the EU. Guidelines have not yielded sufficient results.

D. Followup

When will the policy be reviewed?

The Commission will evaluate the application of the new Regulation five years after its entry into force.