On 13 May, the European Commission is expected to present a revision of the passenger rights regime, often referred to as the “Passenger Package”, with the aim of modernising and clarifying the applicable rules.
This initiative forms part of the European strategy for sustainable and smart mobility, seeking to facilitate the combined use of different modes of transport and to strengthen passengers’ rights in an increasingly digitalised and multimodal ecosystem.
One of the central aspects of this package concerns the development of Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS), intended to enable passengers to plan, compare and purchase journeys combining different modes of transport, including rail, air, road and urban transport, through integrated digital platforms.
The Commission’s proposal is expected to ensure that transport operators and service providers make relevant data available on reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, promoting interoperability between systems and encouraging digital innovation.
In this context, the Commission is also seeking to prevent discriminatory practices in access to data and to ensure that new digital intermediaries operate within a more balanced competitive framework, while at the same time guaranteeing a high level of consumer protection.
In addition, the Single Digital Booking and Ticketing (SDBT) initiative is intended to facilitate the issuing of single tickets for multimodal journeys, allowing passengers to purchase, in a single transaction, services provided by different operators.
According to the Commission, one of the central aspects of this proposal lies in clarifying responsibilities in the event of journey disruptions, particularly where several operators are involved. The absence of a harmonised regime has, to date, hindered the effective protection of passengers on combined journeys, creating uncertainty regarding reimbursements, rerouting and assistance.
The proposal is therefore expected to introduce rules ensuring greater transparency in pre-contractual information and a clearer allocation of responsibilities between operators and intermediaries.
The Passenger Package also includes a review of the legal framework applicable to rail transport. The current reflection seeks to assess whether this regime is suited to present-day realities, particularly as regards its interaction with multimodal services and digital platforms. In particular, the question arises as to the extent to which the existing rules ensure effective passenger protection in journeys involving different operators and modes of transport. In addition, discussions are taking place on strengthening assistance and compensation mechanisms, as well as on the need to ensure a more uniform application of the rules across the Member States.
The initiatives included in the Passenger Package are expected to have a significant impact on the functioning of the passenger transport market. The sharing and opening up of data will entail significant adjustments on the part of operators, who may need to adapt their technological systems and business models.
On the other hand, the creation of integrated ticketing solutions and the clarification of responsibilities in multimodal journeys may increase consumer confidence and encourage the use of more sustainable transport, in line with European objectives in relation to the green transition.
For digital intermediaries, these initiatives represent both an opportunity for growth and a strengthening of regulatory obligations, particularly as regards transparency and user protection.
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