In its new position paper, UITP presents the views of EU public transport sector on the proposed regulation on passenger rights in multimodal journeys. The proposed regulation, by defining new rules to protect passengers using diverse types of transport, like buses and trains all in one trip, introduces multimodality in the passenger rights framework.
Local public transport is a set of transport modes per se; urban, suburban public transport is inherently multimodal. Public transport authorities are in charge of developing multimodal integrated transportation offer. The operators are often bound by a Public Service Obligation (PSO) contract with the authority. The intention of the new set of rules is to preserve the specificities of local passenger transport services running under PSO contracts.
Passenger rights are nothing new for public transport. Already back in 2006, UITP members agreed to apply common passengers’ rights defined in a UITP Passenger Charter. To remain coherent with the evolving EU passenger rights legislation and include new digital technologies, UITP, together with the European Passenger Federation, updated the Passenger Charter in 2019. The Charter is a voluntary commitment by public transport operators and public transport authorities and is designed to increase the quality of service by better meeting the need of all customers. It defines basic passenger rights and obligations such as non-discriminatory provision of tickets, customer information, safety and security, assistance to passengers with reduced mobility… As such, UITP-EPF Passenger Charter is a front-runner in the definition of a passenger rights framework in a multimodal context.