Unified Action for Cleaner Mobility: EU Ministers Approve Passenger Rights Reform

On December 5, 2024, transport ministers from European countries agreed on a common approach aimed at improving passenger rights protection across the EU and encouraging the use of public and active transportation. The new regulations focus on ensuring effective enforcement of passenger rights and simplifying the administrative burden for transport operators and national authorities.

One of the main changes is the enhancement of passenger protection during multimodal journeys that combine different types of transport, such as trains, buses, and planes. Passengers will be entitled to clear and timely information about their rights and transport conditions, making it easier for them to navigate transfers between different modes of transport. The new regulation also introduces simpler procedures for submitting complaints and compensation requests, significantly easing the process for both passengers and transport providers.

These measures aim to increase the motivation to use public transport and active mobility options, such as walking or cycling, by ensuring greater comfort and safety for all passengers. The regulations should also ensure equal conditions for all travelers, without discrimination, including those with reduced mobility. The goal is to create an integrated and efficient transport system that will be more advantageous for passengers and encourage more frequent use of multimodal transport.

We can no longer afford the lack of enforcement of passenger rights when our citizens travel in Europe. We need to deliver a clear and easy-to-implement regulatory framework, which will guarantee their rights without imposing an excessive administrative burden on transport operators and national authorities. The positions we adopted today will certainly help to achieve these goals.

Bálint Nagy, Ministry of Construction and Transport of Hungary & Associated partner of the Active2Public Transport project

All partners of the Active2Public Transport project welcome the strengthening of passenger rights in multimodal transport, recognizing its potential to boost interest in sustainable travel. Transport accounts for 25% of CO2 emissions in Europe, and this initiative can play a key role in addressing this challenge.

For more see the www.consilium.europa.eu.