On January 28, 2025, the IMCO Committee held a crucial discussion on strengthening passenger rights in the EU, focusing on two key legislative proposals: “Amending Regulations as regards enforcement of passenger rights in the Union” and “Passenger rights in the context of multimodal journeys.” Recognizing their interconnected nature, the Committee Chair opted to address both issues together.
A Push for Stronger Protections
Rapporteur Cynthia Ní Mhurchú (IE, Renew) opened the discussion by emphasizing the essential role transport plays in connecting people to opportunities. However, she pointed out significant gaps in enforcement and accessibility, which often leave passengers without adequate protections. To address these shortcomings, she proposed several key reforms:
- Standardized enforcement across Member States: Establishing EU-wide benchmarks for National Enforcement Bodies (NEBs) to ensure consistency.
- Mandatory data sharing: Requiring carriers and intermediaries to share information to improve monitoring and preemptive action.
- Better coordination for cross-border cases: Introducing an EU-level mechanism to streamline enforcement across different jurisdictions.
- Stronger penalties for non-compliance: Linking fines to operator revenue and imposing stricter consequences for repeat violations.
- A centralized complaint platform: Providing a multilingual, accessible system to simplify passenger grievances.
- Expanded protections for multimodal journeys: Extending rights to passengers using combined tickets and ensuring they receive care, rerouting, and reimbursements.
- Joint liability between operators: Preventing disputes between carriers from affecting passengers’ rights.
- Interoperable digital ticketing: Allowing travelers to book, track, and manage their journeys seamlessly.
- Improved accessibility: Establishing dedicated support points for passengers with reduced mobility at major multimodal hubs.
Diverging Perspectives from Shadow Rapporteurs
While generally supportive of Ní Mhurchú’s proposals, shadow rapporteurs offered different perspectives:
- Sebastiao Bugalho (PT, EPP) backed the draft but was concerned about eliminating advance notice for passenger assistance and sought clearer definitions of vulnerable groups.
- Pierre Jouvet (FR, S&D) welcomed multimodal protections but pushed for stronger consumer rights, insolvency safeguards, and the right to cancel in exceptional circumstances.
- Jaroslav Bzoch (CZ, PfE), substituting for Klara Dostalova, agreed with anti-discrimination measures but questioned whether intermediaries should be required to support passengers directly.
- Saskia Bricmont (BE, Greens) opposed SME exemptions and pushed for mandatory Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and better compensation rules.
- Alice Kuhnke (SE, Greens) stressed the importance of mandatory ADR schemes.
- Hanna Gedin (SE, The Left) praised the focus on cross-border complaint mechanisms but called for more concrete rules on refunds, automatic compensation, and addressing hidden costs.
The Commission’s Input
A Commission official acknowledged the Committee’s progress but emphasized the need to balance NEB responsibilities with broader regulatory frameworks. They also referenced ongoing work on a single digital booking and ticketing regulation, which could complement these proposals.
Looking Ahead
Ní Mhurchú reiterated her vision of making EU passenger rights a global benchmark, ensuring fairness, accessibility, and stronger enforcement. Committee Chair Anna Cavazzini (DE, Greens) wrapped up the session by setting the amendment deadline for February 5, 2025.
As lawmakers refine these proposals, their decisions will shape the future of passenger rights in the EU, aiming to create a more integrated, fair, and traveler-friendly transport system.