During a
public deliberation, the Council took note of the Presidency progress
report on a draft Regulation on the rights of passengers in bus and coach
transport. In addition, it held a policy debate focussing on the scope of
this proposal on the basis of three questions suggested by the Presidency.
During the
debate, all Member States reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening
passenger rights travelling by bus and coach, in general, and, in particular,
to facilitate travelling for disabled persons and persons with reduced
mobility.
However, a
vast majority of Member States have pointed out that they consider that the
scope is not sufficiently adapted to the specificities of the bus and coach
services industry and it needs to be clarified and adjusted.
- Regarding
the first option (limited scope with no further exemption), a clear majority of delegations favour this option and
consider that the scope of the proposed Regulation should be limited to
national long-distance and international regular bus/coach transport
services, bearing in mind the need to protect the rights of passengers
as well as to adopt provisions which are proportionate and feasible as
regards bus and coach undertakings.
- As for
the second option (open scope with possible exemptions), some delegations consider that such an option is worth
exploring: this would ensure that basic rights in selected areas would
be guaranteed to all passengers, while leaving margin for possible
national adaptations and exemptions taking into account the principle of
subsidiarity as regards local transports.
- Regarding
the third option (wide scope with graduated provisions), it could be supported only by two or three delegations.
This option seems to be too prescriptive and lacking the necessary flexibility
to be applied in an effective way to the whole sector of bus and coach
transport services.
The Council
invited the competent bodies to pursue the examination of the proposal in
order achieve significant progress under the forthcoming Swedish Presidency.
The Commission
presented its proposal in December 2008. The European Parliament adopted its
first-reading opinion in May 2009.