EU Passenger Package can be the ticket to more train travel

The European Commission today published its Passenger Package, an ambitious proposal to encourage consumers to take the train via easier booking and strengthened passenger rights. 

Incumbent rail operators such as national rail market leaders will be required to sell their competitors' offers and share all their data with everyone, including the full range of fares. This will make it easier for consumers to book their rail tickets via a variety of platforms therefore increasing competition.

Full passenger rights like assistance, re-routing, hotel and compensation would apply if consumers buy their tickets in one transaction. It is important to ensure, however, that this applies across the journey, even if passengers purchase their tickets in separate transactions from the same platform.  

BEUC Director General Agustín Reyna commented: “This proposal could be just the ticket to help consumers fall in love with train travel again. Booking a rail ticket has become far too complex in recent years. New EU rules would go a long way to making that easier, by opening up ticket sales on more platforms.  

“We are glad the European Commission listened to consumers and decided to act to make rail ticketing easier, including more rights to protect consumers if something goes wrong during their journey. This will help encourage more people to choose the train.”

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The Commission also intends to harmonise booking horizons, making tickets available to book up to five months ahead (especially useful when travelling with more than one operator and cross-border). However, this remains low compared to aviation, especially when consumers are potentially booking holidays several months in advance.