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Targeted revision of Regulation (EU) 2021/782 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations

Transport

Rail passengers are currently not protected by passenger rights when they combine separate tickets from different railway undertakings for a given journey, as opposed to through tickets that must be offered by railway operators belonging to ‘one sole undertaking’ (rules applicable as of June 2023). The targeted revision would aim to extend the protection available to passengers, ensuring passenger rights for a journey involving several railway undertakings.

Links

Public consultation

ID: 14691

Lobbying Activity

25 responses

Transport & Environment calls for mandatory rail connection guarantees

Transport and Environment (European Federation for Transport and Environment), 22 Sept 2025

T&E requests that the right to board the next available train when a service is delayed should be enshrined in European law, extended to domestic routes, and include mandatory assistance like accommodation when connections are missed. They argue current voluntary industry schemes like AJC and HOTNAT have gaps in coverage and enforceability.
This would protect rail passengers from excessive costs and uncertainty when combining operators.
Rail operators lose flexibility to limit liability for missed connections across different companies.

Consumer group demands equal protection for multi-operator rail journeys

Bureau Européen des Unions de Consommateurs, 20 Sept 2025

BEUC requests that all passengers enjoy core rights whether they travel with single or multiple tickets, regardless of sales channel. They want to eliminate the distinction between through-tickets and separate tickets purchased together, which they call artificial from the consumer's perspective.
This would protect their members from expensive last-minute arrangements and hotel costs when connections are missed.
Railway operators face increased liability obligations and cannot avoid responsibility by selling separate tickets.

European rail industry opposes mandatory through-tickets for multi-operator journeys

Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, 19 Sept 2025

CER opposes making through-tickets legally obligatory for all multi-operator journeys, arguing this would force operators to stop offering these trips due to prohibitive compensation costs. Instead, they propose a three-tier framework: separate tickets with no guarantees, combined tickets for international journeys with journey continuation based on existing industry agreements, and traditional through-tickets where commercially viable.
This would minimize their liability costs when disruptions occur on journey segments operated by other companies.
Passengers combining separate tickets would lose automatic compensation and journey continuation rights when disruptions occur.

European Disability Forum calls for stronger rail protections amid connections

European Disability Forum, 19 Sept 2025

The organization requests compensation when missed connections result from lack of accessibility or assistance. They seek elimination of pre-notification requirements, last-minute assistance availability, and simplified booking across multiple rail companies. They emphasize that current rules fail to protect passengers with disabilities during disruptions.
This would enable their members to travel independently without complex pre-planning and guarantee protection during disruptions.

Consultation response

eu travel tech, 22 Sept 2025

Cross-border, long-distance, and regional rail travel is essential to Europes sustainable mobility transition and to achieving the EUs climate neutrality target by 2050. Regulation 2021/782 (RPRR) provides a baseline for rail passenger rights and a solid framework for carriers and intermediaries to…

German Consumer Group Demands Mandatory Through-Tickets for All Rail Journeys

Verbraucherzentrale Bundesverband, 22 Sept 2025

The organization demands that railway companies be legally required to offer through-tickets for both national and international journeys. They argue the current voluntary approach is insufficient and leaves passengers without continuous protection.
This would give passengers simplified ticket purchasing and guaranteed rights across entire journeys.
Railway companies lose flexibility to avoid liability by selling separate tickets with disclaimers.

Wiener Stadtwerke urges exemption for local rail from through-ticketing rules

WIENER STADTWERKE GmbH, 22 Sept 2025

The organization requests that local and suburban rail services remain exempt from through-ticketing requirements. They argue that urban transit operates differently from long-distance rail, with high frequency, short distances, zone-based tickets, and no seat reservations. Austria currently exempts suburban railways like Wiener Lokalbahnen from through-ticket rules, and this exemption must be preserved.
This would avoid disproportionately high costs for smaller rail operators without providing value to commuters.

ECTAA warns rail passenger rules threaten travel intermediary viability

ECTAA, Group of National Travel Agents' and Tour Operators' Associations within the EU, 22 Sept 2025

ECTAA requests a thorough impact assessment before extending passenger rights to combined multi-operator tickets. They insist travel agents must not be made liable for costs like care and compensation.
Avoiding liability protects intermediaries from unsustainable costs and prevents them from exiting the rail market.
Consumers and smaller rail operators would face higher ticket prices and reduced travel options.

UITP Says Rail Through-Tickets Require Voluntary Commercial Agreements

UITP - International Association of Public Transport, 19 Sept 2025

UITP insists that through-tickets must be based on voluntary commercial agreements between operators. They advocate for excluding local and regional services from the framework and require vendors to follow operator-set connection times.
This avoids liability for uncoordinated connections and protects small operators from high costs.
Online ticket platforms lose the flexibility to design their own multimodal journey offers.

ALLRAIL supports full passenger rights for multi-operator rail journeys

ALLRAIL Alliance of Rail New Entrants, 22 Sept 2025

ALLRAIL wants full rights for journeys involving multiple operators booked together. They propose a shift toward guaranteed network assurance for all rail travellers.
Increased passenger trust will drive higher ridership and revenue for rail entrants.
Established rail operators lose the protection of limited liability for connecting services.

Trainline warns EU reform could limit independent rail ticket sales

Trainline SAS, 22 Sept 2025

Trainline wants a 'single journey' concept to ensure passenger travel continuation. They also request direct access to carrier data and refund processing tools.
This prevents financial liabilities that would otherwise make selling combined tickets commercially impossible.
Large carriers lose their monopoly on customer support and data control.

Transdev urges EU to end incumbent rail ticketing advantage

Transdev Group, 20 Sept 2025

Transdev advocates for a harmonized rule requiring all railway undertakings to cooperate and ensure service continuity for multi-operator journeys. They also demand transparency regarding passenger care costs during competitive tenders to assist new entrants.
This would eliminate the competitive advantage held by incumbents and reduce barriers for new market entrants.
Incumbent rail companies would lose their market dominance and exclusive control over through-ticketing benefits.

Consultation response

Global Business Travel Association, 10 Sept 2025

The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the European Commissions consultation regarding the revision of the Rail Passenger Rights Regulation, aimed at improving the passenger experience in cross-border, long-distance and regional rail travel. Business…

European Passengers’ Federation urges stronger rights for multi-operator rail journeys

European Passengers' Federation, 22 Sept 2025

EPF demands a guaranteed right to continue journeys at no extra cost regardless of the operators involved. They also want to remove exemptions for regional services and clarify the responsibilities of ticket sellers.
Stronger protections would increase passenger trust and encourage more cross-border rail travel.
Rail operators would lose the ability to easily avoid liability for missed connections.

Pearle* urges EU to harmonize rail rules for musical instruments

Performing Arts Employers Associations League Europe, 22 Sept 2025

Pearle* advocates for multi-leg journeys to be treated as through-tickets. They seek EU-wide standards and transparent policies for carrying musical instruments.
Harmonized rules would provide predictability and lower travel costs for touring artists.
Railway companies would bear higher costs for sharing liability and assisting delayed passengers.

French rail group urges urban exemptions in passenger rights

Union des Transports Publics et ferroviaires, 22 Sept 2025

UTPF demands that urban and suburban rail services remain outside the regulation's scope. They recommend prioritizing voluntary industry agreements to enhance passenger protection across borders. They insist on involving transport authorities regarding changes to public service rail contracts.
This would avoid expensive system updates and maintain stability for urban transport operators.

Consultation response

Union Fédérale des Consommateurs - Que Choisir, 22 Sept 2025

Le secteur des transports est responsable de plus de 30 % des émissions de gaz à effet de serre domestiques en France. Depuis plus d'une dizaine d'années, le développement de services d'information et de billettique multimodaux est présenté comme une solution pour favoriser des déplacements moins…

German Transport Association Rejects Liability for Third-Party Rail Journeys

Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen, 22 Sept 2025

The VDV argues companies should only be responsible for their own services. They oppose mandatory through-tickets for combined trips organized by third-party platforms. Local rail and metro services must be excluded from these European regulations.
This would prevent unpredictable liability costs and preserve the companies' contractual freedom.
Passengers on mixed-operator journeys lose guaranteed protections, potentially facing higher costs for insurance.

CERMI urges guaranteed assistance for disabled rail passengers' through-tickets

COMITÉ ESPAÑOL DE REPRESENTANTES DE PERSONAS CON DISCAPACIDAD, 22 Sept 2025

CERMI demands that passengers with disabilities receive guaranteed assistance and full rights to compensation on combined tickets. They propose a standardized European assistance model with shorter notice periods to ensure seamless transfers between different railway companies.
This would reduce travel uncertainty and ensure disabled passengers are not stranded during disruptions.
Railway undertakings and station managers would face higher operational costs to provide permanent assistance staff.

Consultation response

České dráhy, a.s.,, 22 Sept 2025

Dobrý den, v příloze naleznete stanovisko ČD k cílené revizi předpisů PRR.

Consultation response

Omio Travel GmbH, 22 Sept 2025

Feedback in attached doc.

Consultation response

European Network of Business Travel Associations, 22 Sept 2025

BT4Europe response to the Targeted revision of Regulation (EU) 201/782 on rail passengers rights and obligations. BT4Europe appreciates the Commissions initiative to update and strengthen Rail passenger rights when travelling cross-border, long-distance within the EU. We find that the Problems…

Consultation response

FEDERATION NATIONALE DES ASSOCIATIONS D'USAGERS DES TRANSPORTS, 8 Sept 2025

Réponse de la Fnaut à lappel à contribution concernant la révision ciblée du règlement (UE) 2021/782 sur les droits et obligations des voyageurs ferroviaires

Consultation response

, 22 Sept 2025

With reference to the Call for Evidence published by the EU Commission concerning the initiative Targeted revision of Regulation UE 782/2021 on rail passengers rights and obligations the following key points should be taken into consideration: 1. the need for operators and ticketing platforms to…

Consultation response

, 5 Aug 2025

Nicht nur der Aktionsplan der Europäischen Kommission zur Förderung des Schienenpersonenverkehrs auf Fern- und grenzüberschreitenden Strecken zeigt, dass die geltende Rechtslage äußerst unzufriedenstellend ist, da die Unternehmen Fahrgäste nur dann schützen, wenn sie dazu verpflichtet sind. Um…