Bon voyage

Under new draft laws, people travelling by bus and ship would enjoy the same rights as those taking a plane or train, including the right to meals, hotel accommodation and alternative services if the trip is cancelled or interrupted. Companies that fail to comply would have to refund passengers at least part of their ticket.

Disabled passengers and other people with reduced mobility would be entitled to free assistance during their journey. And operators would be liable if luggage is lost or damaged or if a passenger is hurt or killed during the trip.

Passengers would also have the right to certain information about their trip and to effective complaints procedures. Companies would have two months to contest a passenger claim before it is considered accepted.

Air and rail passengers have enjoyed similar rights since 2005. For airlines, compliance with the rules costs around 60 eurocents per passenger. The costs are expected to be less for bus and ship operators. Independent national bodies would be set up to settle disputes. The rules would apply to both domestic and international routes.

“The EU cannot afford different levels of rights for passengers depending on which mode of transport they travel with,” said commission vice-president Antonio Tajani, who is responsible for transport. “With these two new regulations, we will cover all transport modes.”

The proposals will raise standards for the two modes of transport - something the open market has failed to do.

Meanwhile the commission is preparing a report on whether airlines are applying the rules on passenger rights. Mr Tajani announced his intention to initiate action early next year against countries that fail to enforce the laws on air passenger protection.