Rail Passenger Rights Set To Be Improved Across Europe

11.43.08am GMT Thu 18th Jan 2007

Sharon getting off Eurostar

Liberal Democrats will today back a crucial European Parliament report that will vastly improve rights for rail passengers ranging from minimum compensation for cancelled journeys to universal accessibility for disabled passengers.

Sharon Bowles MEP, Liberal Democrat Economic Affairs Spokesperson, said:

"The Parliament has stood firm and is calling for this directive to apply to all rail journeys regardless of whether they are international or not. This means train passengers travelling from Cornwall to London, Edinburgh to Southampton would all be eligible for compensation for cancellations, missed connection, lost or damaged luggage. A greater quality of service will encourage more people off the roads and on to our trains reducing congestion and pollution."

Liz Lynne MEP, Liberal Democrat Employment & Social Affairs Spokesperson, who has tabled an amendment to this report on behalf of the entire ALDE Group, seeks to ensure accessibility for disabled people and people with reduced mobility. She added:

"Everyone should be able to get to, and use, rail services, including stations and trains. My amendment will help to ensure that stations, platforms and rolling stock are accessible to persons with reduced mobility. Should this not be the case immediately, this accessibility has to be guaranteed while works are carried out and when new trains are introduced. It is no good making employment accessible, if disabled people can't get to their place of work.

"The remainder of the report is to be warmly welcomed, with rail passenger's rights finally being defended in line with air passenger's rights, and hopefully improving a service which will persuade people to realise that rail travel is a faster, safer and greener way to travel."

ENDS

Notes

A copy of the report can be found here

http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+REPORT+A6-2006-0479+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN&language=EN