The Commission recently adopted a series of proposals designed to improve the experience of passengers and travellers by strengthening their rights. The new rules will build on lessons learned and in particular, the proposals focuses on three key aspects, including a revision of the Regulations on Passenger Rights and a proposal on passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys which also sets out for the first time, new rules to protect passengers using different types of transport, like buses, trains, and planes, all in one trip.
The second aspect focuses on the Protection of package travellers and the revision of the 2015 Package Travel Directive. In particular, it concerns travels during crisis situations, learning the lessons from the Covid19 pandemic. The proposed amendments will provide stronger and clearer rights for travellers and clarify the obligations and responsibilities of package organisers.
The third and final aspect highlights better multimodal travel information services and the creation of a common European mobility data space. Multimodality, or the combination of transport modes, can reduce overall transport emissions by allowing travellers to choose the most efficient and sustainable mode of transport. The revision of Delegated Regulation on EU-wide multimodal travel information service (MMTIS) will make it easier for passengers to find via travel information services real-time information on different transport modes and access real-time updates during their journey, for example on delays and cancellations. New types of information will also be available, such as whether bikes can be taken onto a train, and on accessibility, including for passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility.
In line with the European Strategy for Data and supported by the Digital Europe Programme, the initiative on a common European mobility data space (EMDS), also adopted by the Commission, will facilitate access, pooling and sharing of data from existing and future transport and mobility data sources. It will allow access to and sharing of real-time data, enabling the travelling public to stay up to date with the transport situation and traffic conditions, allowing them to plan their journeys better. It will also enable public and private actors for developing innovative transport services and data-driven transport policymaking.
ERTICO CEO, Joost Vantomme comments on the importance of the EMDS initiative, highlighting ERTICO’s role in bringing together over 120 Partners from public and private sectors to facilitate seamlessly integrated transport modes. “We recognise the pivotal role these advancements play in enabling individuals to make sustainable choices, reducing overall transport emissions, and enhancing the travel experience,” says Mr Vantomme. “Our commitment remains steadfast in fostering innovation that not only simplifies journey planning but also ensures accessibility, inclusivity, and efficiency for all, reflecting the essence of a forward-thinking and interconnected European mobility landscape and beyond.”
deployEMDS, an EU co-funded projects in which ERTICO leads communication, dissemination, exploitation and stakeholder engagement activities and coordinates the Innovation and Scaling Group work, will support policymaking by enabling data sharing and reuse for efficient multimodal mobility and traffic management, as well as for measuring progress of sustainable urban mobility across Europe. deployEMDS is a three-year project that runs from 1 November 2023 until 31 October 2026, comprises 38 members and 7 associated partners from 11 EU countries, and aims to support the European Union’s digital sovereignty, notably by reinforcing EU critical digital capacities involving the preparation of a data infrastructure, governance, and processing. Building upon the groundwork laid by the preparatory action PrepDSpace4Mobility, the deployEMDS project’s primary objective is to deploy an operational data space and common governance mechanisms.
Source: European Commission
