Just before the holidays, there is much consumer-relevant news from the European Commission to report on. To start with, as of today passenger rights that already existed for air and railways travel are extended to Europeans travelling by water.
As summarised by the Commission 'the new rights include:
- adequate and accessible information for all passengers before and during their journey, as well as general information about their rights in terminals and on board ships;
- adequate assistance such as snacks, meals, refreshments and, where necessary, accommodation up to three nights, with a financial coverage up to €80 per night in case of cancellation or delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
- guaranteed choice between reimbursement or rerouting in case of cancellation or delay at departure of more than 90 minutes;
- compensation, between 25% and 50% of the ticket price, in situations of delay at arrival;
- non-discriminatory treatment and specific, free-of-charge, assistance for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, both at port terminals and on board ships, as well as financial compensation for loss of or damage to their mobility equipment;
- mechanisms to handle passenger complaints to be put in place by carriers and terminal operators;
- appointment of independent national bodies in charge of enforcing the regulation, where appropriate, through the application of penalties.
In addition, as from 31
December 2012, passengers involved in an accident when travelling by sea
will have the following rights under EU law:
- financial compensation in case of death, personal injury, and loss of or damage to luggage, vehicles, and mobility or other special equipment;
- advance payment (within 15 days) to cover immediate economic needs in case of death or personal injury;
- direct recourse against the carrier's insurance provider in case of death or personal injury;
- right to receive appropriate and comprehensible information regarding the above rights prior to or –at the latest – upon departure.'
More information is available in the press release and on the Commission's passenger rights website.
