New passenger rights for bus and coach in the EU!

Starting from 2013, bus and coach passengers in the European Union will enjoy the same rights are rail, air and boat travelers, as the European Parliament adopted new regulations on passenger rights in bus and coach transport in February 2011.

The new legislation sets rules on liability in the event of death or injury of passengers and loss of or damage to their luggage, non-discriminatory access to transport, assistance for disabled persons, obligations in the event of cancellation or delay of a journey, handling of complaints and general rules on enforcement.

The new rules will allow transport operators to improve the quality of their services and make travelling by bus and coach more user-friendly, in particular for the disabled and infirm, as they will get free assistance at terminals and on board, and where necessary, free transport for people travelling with them to help.

The bus and coach industry supports the new legislation and will now focus on the implementation of the Regulation in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, with the objective of reinforcing the position of buses and coaches as the preferred means of transport to ensure the sustainable mobility of European citizens

Watch the European parlement video here