This document is an excerpt from the EUR-Lex website
Passengers, including those with a disability or reduced mobility, travelling by bus and coach enjoy the same rights wherever they travel in the European Union (EU). These rights, including the right to information or compensation in the case of delay or cancellation, complement similar rights for sea and inland waterway, air and rail passengers.
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport and amending Regulation (EC) No 2006/2004
Passengers, including those with a disability or reduced mobility, travelling by bus and coach enjoy the same rights wherever they travel in the European Union (EU). These rights, including the right to information or compensation in the case of delay or cancellation, complement similar rights for sea and inland waterway, air and rail passengers.
The regulation sets down rules for bus and coach transport regarding regular services* for passengers travelling within the EU for distances of 250 kms or more. Some of its provisions apply to all services, including those of a shorter distance.
In respect of long-distance services, i.e. of more than 250 kms, the regulation provides:
Additionally, for distances of less than 250 kms, the regulation provides for:
The regulation provides for the option of exemptions for domestic regular services and for regular services where a significant part is operated outside the EU.
From 1 March 2013.
European Commission website on bus and coach passenger rights
Following the COVID-19 outbreak and introducing measures to cope with the impact of the crisis, the European Commission adopted:
*regular services: ordinary bus and coach services carrying passengers along specified routes with pre-determined pick-up/stopping points.
Act |
Entry into force |
Deadline for transposition in the Member States |
Official Journal |
Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 |
20.3.2011 |
- |
last update 02.06.2020