Codification of Passenger Rights: Cost of Non-Europe Report

Étude 15-07-2015

Cost of Non-Europe Reports identify the possibilities for economic or other gains and/or the realisation of a ‘public good’ through common action at EU level in specific policy areas and sectors. This report analyses the costs for citizens and business of the absence of a consolidated framework for Passenger Rights as well as the feasibility and the merits of such a consolidation in a single legislative instrument.Regulatory and practical gaps and inconsistencies in EU passenger legislation result in passengers not being equally protected across the various transport modes. The lack of a consolidated and consistent framework weakens the effective enforcement of Passenger Rights, affects the quality of service and creates barriers for seamless travel. The costs of these shortcomings for transport users and the whole society amount to at least 355 million euro annually.Although requiring a complex legislative effort, the establishment of a single EU framework for passenger rights in the form of an EU Codex would present the highest added value in tackling the current problems.  A Common Frame of Reference could be a first step to such consistent and harmonised revision of Passenger Rights.