Better service provision and greater comfort for European train passengers

“Saying that the provision of service on the railways could be a great deal better is like battering down an open door.” MEPs Anneleen Van Bossuyt, Mark Demesmaeker and Helga Stevens consider the European report on the provision of service for train passengers a step in the right direction. According to the report, train passengers deserve a better provision of service and more compensation in the case of delays. “This report is recommended reading for the railway bosses. Deregulation is approaching fast. Their provision of service will have to improve considerably if they want to compete with new players,” says Mark Demesmaeker.

Bicycles on the train

The report, which the European Parliament approved this week, provides an initial step towards more far-reaching agreements at European level. For example, train passengers within the European Union will be able to enjoy a better provision of service and greater comfort. A ban on bicycles on trains at peak times, as the NMBS proposed recently, does not fit within this vision, says Mark Demesmaeker. “The N-VA has already on many occasions stressed the importance of combi-mobility. That’s why I am pleased that the emphasis is explicitly being placed on the right to take your bicycle on to the train with you, regardless of the time of day. This flexibility is very important to motivate people to opt for public transport.”

Increased compensation

Anneleen Van Bossuyt, chair of the Consumer Protection committee in the European Parliament, also sees a large number of positive elements in the report: “It is still too often the case that train passengers in the European Union have to deal with delays, cancellations and insufficient information. For example, the NMBS’s punctuality over the last 12 months has shown a markedly downward trend. This report is in any case a step in the right direction. The points I recall above all are the increased compensation levels in the case of delays, a stronger ombudsman service and a better protection for journeys carried out by multiple different companies.”

Better accessibility

MEP Helga Stevens focuses her attention above all on the improvement of accessibility for people with a disability. She too sees positive elements, but also a few shortcomings. “With the automatic assistance in the larger stations, the European Parliament is already setting out a number of good ideas. However, additional attention remains necessary for people with a disability, such as the provision of other means of transport in case of severe disruptions. In addition, it is also unclear what precisely the training for those assisting people with a disability will entail,” says Helga Stevens.