International train travel can be better

By |June 13th, 2019|

The discussion on climate change has in some countries led to the conclusion that there should be less travel by plane. The other conclusion is that people should use trains instead of planes on distances up to approximately 500 kilometres. In reality many flights are used on rather short distances. The railway companies point out that airlines do not […]

Exemptions for bus-coach passenger rights

By |May 16th, 2019|

Report from the Commission regarding exemptions granted by member states under regulation (EU) No 181/2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport.

The EC has just published a report in connection with the exemptions granted under this regulation which came into force on 1st March 2013 and contains a series of rights for passengers who travel by bus […]

Launch European Transport and Mobility Forum

By |April 1st, 2019|

On March 25., EPF was represented at the launch of the European Transport and Mobility Forum, a platform that intends to become a place for discussion and debate, providing a voice for users and fostering cross-fertilization of technologies and knowledge-transfer between modes and with stakeholders beyond transport.

End of rail cross border bans in Portbou and Cerbère

By |February 21st, 2019|

From February 11st, Spanish and French trains will be able to carry passengers, in Portbou and Cerbère, when coming back to their countries, in direction of Barcelona and Perpignan/Narbonne. This is a historical decision that breaks more than 100 years of blockage because of the absurd traffic bans, and normalizes the border links of public transport between Catalonia and […]

New Rail Market Monitoring Report is out

By |February 21st, 2019|

Every couple of years, the European Commission publishes a Rail Market Monitoring Report (RMMS).  It gives an overview of the state of the European rail market in the context of the EU’s policy objectives – market opening, modal shift, improved safety, the development of high speed rail, etc.  The latest edition of the RMMS came out n February.

The report […]

Designing new inclusive mobility solutions – multidisciplinary workshop

By |February 7th, 2019|

The HiReach project is organising a Multidisciplinary Ideation Workshop in Brussels on March 27 (afternoon) and 28 (full day) to address issues related to inclusive mobility and transport poverty.

Both issues concern daily challenges stemming from a range of human, social and geographical limitations. Those most affected are persons with reduced mobility options, including children, elderly, women, low-income, immigrants, people […]

Opening national and international markets for coach services

By |January 14th, 2019|

EPF’s position paper, accepted 13.01.2019

The European Commission is preparing a revision of regulation 1073/2009 to liberalise and harmonise the long distance coach market in the European Union.

Regulation 1073/2009 opened the long distance coach market with a cabotage possibility inside Member States only if the service is part of an international line. The European Commission’s proposal is to create a […]

Consultation on the CRS Code of Conduct

By |January 3rd, 2019|

The European Commission is currently reviewing the EU law governing Computerised Reservation Systems (Regulation (EC) 80/2009). These are used for travel bookings, particularly for air travel, and usually allow users access to make their own bookings. The Regulation establishes a code of conduct that is designed to prevent abuse of competition and to ensure that the information provided to […]

Discover EU

By |November 29th, 2018|

The DiscoverEU program opens is second round of applications today. The initiative aims to provide free “Interrail” passes to 18 years old persons that are EU citizens. These passes will allow 18 years-old to travel across Europe for free for a certain period of time.

New platform for rail security

By |November 10th, 2018|

EPF has been invited to send two representatives to attend the European Commission’s new expert group, the EU Rail Passenger Security Platform, as observers.  Its purpose is to develop a common methodology for evaluating threats to the security of rail users and to exchange information on and develop good practice.  Willy Smeulders and Christopher Irwin, who are both already […]