Changes from report parliamentary committee draft to plenary report

RemovedClarification

AddedRecital 15 a (new): (15 a) As regards persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, special attention should be paid to ensuring that they can make the transition from one means of transport to another. Carriers and, where applicable, terminal managers should provide assistance in such a way that the person is able to get to the connecting transport services for which he or she holds a reservation as part of the single multimodal ticket. Subsequent assistance should be provided in accordance with the sectoral Union legislation on passenger rights.

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: 1. Carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers shall provide the passenger with information prior to purchase on whether the ticket or the tickets offered for a multimodal journey constitute a single multimodal contract, a combined multimodal ticket or separate multimodal tickets, as well as on the rights or limitations associated with the type of contract or ticket.

AddedRecital 18: (18) Carriers and terminal managers should define, manage and monitor service quality standards for multimodal passenger services. Carriers which are not SMEs should also make information on their service quality performance publicly available.

RemovedCarriers and intermediaries should clearly indicate which rights are included with each ticket and which are not. This helps consumers make more informed purchasing decisions.

AddedRecital 22: (22) In order to ensure that a passenger receives travel information about a multimodal journey, both before and during that journey, the sharing of passenger contact details with the carrier could be necessary. The carrier may use these contact details exclusively for the purpose of fulfilling the information obligation under this Regulation and to fulfil the carrier’s obligations under applicable Union law on safety and security. This personal data should not be processed for any marketing purposes and they should be processed in accordance with the applicable Union law.

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 2: 2. Prior to purchase, carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers for the purpose of a multimodal journey shall provide the passenger with general guidance on average connecting times between the different types of transport services offered in a multimodal journey.

AddedRecital 27: (27) The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council and delivered an opinion on 24 January 2024,

RemovedThe term 'minimum' should be replaced by 'average' in order to make clear that the stated connecting time is only an estimate by the carrier or intermediary.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new): (2 a) ‘operating carrier’ means a natural or legal person who, de facto, provides at least one transport service as part of a multimodal journey, at the request of a carrier;

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2 a. Intermediaries shall inform passengers, prior to purchase, of the fees they apply and of the amount of those fees that can be reimbursed pursuant to Article 8.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3: (3) ‘ticket vendor’ means any natural or legal person, other than a carrier, acting on behalf of one or more carriers or a passenger for the conclusion of transport contracts;

RemovedConsumer need transparency about the price and service offered by an intermediary.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new): (4 a) “intermediation fee” means any difference between the amount paid by the passenger and the amount received by the carrier for the same service, and which is collected by the intermediary;

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2 b. Intermediaries shall inform passengers at the time of booking if they have a commercial relationship with the carriers involved in the multimodal journey they are selling.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8: (8) ‘combined multimodal ticket’ means a ticket or tickets for a multimodal journey representing separate transport contracts which are combined and sold together by a carrier or intermediary on its own initiative, and which are purchased by means of a single payment by the passenger;

RemovedAddition increases transparency about the commercial relationship between carriers and intermediaries so that the consumer can make an informed purchase decision.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 23: (23) ‘missed connection during a multimodal journey’ means a situation where a passenger misses one or more transport services in the course of a multimodal journey, as a result of the delay at departure or arrival, or cancellation of one or more preceding transport services, or of the departure of a transport service before the scheduled departure time;

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 3: 3. Multimodal hub managers shall also provide general guidance on average connecting times between the different types of transport services that operate at the multimodal hub.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 24 a (new): (24 a) ‘accessible format’ means a format that enables a person with disabilities or with reduced mobility to access any relevant information, as easily and comfortably as a person without any impairments or disabilities, and that meets the accessibility requirements set out in the applicable law, in particular Annex I to Directive (EU) 2019/882;

RemovedThe term 'minimum' should be replaced by 'average' in order to make clear that the stated connecting time is only an estimate by the carrier or intermediary.

AddedArticle 3 – paragraph 1 – point 25 a (new): (25 a) ‘service quality standards’ means key performance indicators used to measure performance levels and elements of compliance with Union law on passenger rights;

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 6: 6. The information referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5 shall be provided in the most appropriate format, including by using appropriate communication technologies. This information shall be provided in an easily understandable and accessible format.

AddedArticle 4 – paragraph 1: 1. Without prejudice to social tariffs, carriers or intermediaries shall offer contract conditions and tariffs for multimodal journeys to the general public without direct or indirect discrimination on the basis of the passenger’s nationality or of the carrier's or intermediary's place of establishment within the Union.

RemovedArticle 5 – paragraph 9 a (new): 9 a. Where an intermediary acquires a ticket on behalf of a passenger, the intermediary shall inform the respective carrier(s) at the time of booking about the fact that it has booked the ticket as an intermediary. It shall provide the respective carrier with its own postal and electronic contact details.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 1: 1. Carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers shall provide the passenger with information prior to purchase on whether the ticket or the tickets offered for a multimodal journey constitute a single multimodal contract, a combined multimodal ticket or separate multimodal tickets, as well as on the rights or limitations, including on the provision of real-time information, associated with the type of contract or ticket.

RemovedBased on Regulation 2023/0437 Art. 14a (4).In order to increase transparency and accountability, intermediaries should inform carriers if they buy a ticket on behalf of a consumer and provide contact details so that the carrier can contact them, if necessary.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 2: 2. Prior to purchase, carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers for the purpose of a multimodal journey shall provide the passenger with general guidance on average connecting times between the different types of transport services offered in a multimodal journey. Such guidance shall also take into account the requirements of passengers with disabilities and reduced mobility.

RemovedArticle 7 – paragraph 3: 3. Re-routing transport service providers shall provide persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility with a level of assistance and accessibility comparable to the missed transport service when offering an alternative service. Re-routing transport service providers shall pay particular attention to provide persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility with alternative services which are appropriate to their needs, and which might differ from those offered to other passengers.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2 a. Intermediaries shall inform passengers, prior to purchase, of the intermediation fees applied and of the amount of those fees that may be reimbursed pursuant to Article 8.

RemovedClarification of wording

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 2 b (new): 2 b. Intermediaries shall inform passengers prior to purchase if they have a contractual relationship with the carriers involved in the multimodal journey they are selling.

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 2: 2. The intermediary and the contracting carrier shall inform the passenger about the reimbursement process as provided for in this Article in a clear, comprehensible and easily accessible manner at the time of booking and on the booking confirmation and when travel disruption occurs that entitles the passenger to the right to a refund and compensation under this Regulation.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 3: 3. Multimodal hub managers shall also provide publicly accessible and free of charge general guidance on average connecting times between the different types of transport services that operate at the multimodal hub and give additional relevant information to persons with disabilities and reduced mobility. Operating carriers and intermediaries shall make their offer of single multimodal contracts or combined multimodal tickets, taking into account the connecting times suggested by the multimodal hub managers.

RemovedIntermediaries and carriers should inform the passenger about their rights, as soon as as a travel disruption occurs. This increases the enforceability for passenger of their rights under this Regulation.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 4 – introductory part: 4. Prior to purchase, carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers for the purpose of a multimodal journey shall provide the passenger, with the following information:

RemovedArticle 8 – paragraph 4: 4. The carrier shall state publicly, in a clear, comprehensible and easily accessible manner, whether it agrees to process reimbursements through intermediaries, and with which intermediaries it accepts to do so. Intermediaries shall publicly disclose, in a clear, comprehensible, and easily accessible manner, whether they have agreements with carriers to process reimbursements, and list those carriers.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 4 – point a: (a) general conditions applicable to the contract, including rights to reimbursement, re-routing and compensation in the event of disruptions;

RemovedThe obligation to inform passengers about which intermediaries a carrier accepts for processing reimbursements should also extend to the intermediaries themselves.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 4 – point d: deleted

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2: 2. In applying paragraph 1, the operating carrier shall pay particular attention to the needs of unaccompanied children, persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, as well as to those of any accompanying persons and assistance dogs.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 4 – point e: deleted

RemovedUnaccompanied children are especially vulnerable in the event of missed connections and should receive special attention.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 4 a (new): 4 a. Before the multimodal journey, carriers and intermediaries offering transport contracts on behalf of one or more carriers for the purpose of a multimodal journey shall provide the passenger with the following information: (a) general conditions applicable to the contract, including rights to reimbursement, re-routing and compensation in the event of disruptions; (b) disruptions and delays affecting the multimodal journey, planned and in real time; (c) procedures for the submission of the complaints under Article 18.

RemovedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2 a. In the event of a delay, service cancellation, or disruption, the operating carrier shall promptly inform passengers of the situation, including the estimated departure and arrival times of the service or any replacement service, as soon as the information becomes available. Intermediaries shall also relay that information to passengers without delay upon receiving it.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 5 – introductory part: 5. During the journey, carriers offering single multimodal contracts and combined multimodal tickets and, where possible, intermediaries offering combined multimodal tickets shall provide the passenger with the following information:

RemovedOperating carriers and intermediaries should keep consumers informed about further travel arrangements to maintain transparency and ensure clear communication.

AddedArticle 5 – paragraph 5 – point a: (a) disruptions and delays (planned and in real time) and on the related reimbursement and re-routing and compensation rights under this Regulation;

AddedArticle 7 – paragraph 2: 2. Where, for the purposes of points (b) and (c) of paragraph 1, comparable re-routing is operated by the same carrier or another carrier is commissioned to perform the re-routing, this shall not generate additional costs to the passenger. That requirement also applies where the re-routing involves the use of transport of a higher service class and alternative modes of transport. Carriers shall make all reasonable efforts to avoid additional connections and to ensure that delay in the total travel time is as short as possible.

AddedArticle 7 – paragraph 3: 3. Re-routing transport service providers shall provide persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility with a level of assistance and accessibility comparable to the missed transport service when offering an alternative service. Re-routing transport service providers shall pay particular attention to provide persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility with alternative services which are appropriate to their needs, and which may differ from those offered to other passengers.

AddedArticle 7 – paragraph 4: 4. The reimbursement referred to in point (a) of paragraph 1 shall be paid within 14 days after the receipt of the request. Member States may require contracting carriers to accept such requests by particular means of communication, provided that the requirement does not create discriminatory effects. The reimbursement shall take the form of money unless the passenger expressly agrees to be reimbursed in the form of vouchers or the provision of other services as referred to in Article 7a. The reimbursement of the ticket price shall not be reduced by financial transaction costs such as fees, telephone costs or stamps.

AddedArticle 7 a (new): Article 7a Common rules on vouchers 1. Vouchers shall correspond at least to the amount of the refund to which the traveller is entitled instead of a refund. 2. Vouchers shall have a validity period of a maximum of 12 months from the day a traveller accepts a voucher. That period may be extended once for up to 12 months subject to the explicit agreement of both parties in written form. 3. Vouchers shall be transferable to another traveller once without any additional cost. 4. Should a passenger not utilise, or only partially utilise, a voucher, they shall retain the right to request a full monetary refund or a refund of the remaining amount at any time before or upon the voucher’s expiration. That refund shall be processed within 30 days of the passenger’s request. 5. When offering the voucher, the carrier or intermediary shall inform the traveller in a clear, unambiguous and comprehensible manner, of the traveller’s rights pursuant to this Article, the value of the voucher and the amount of the traveller’s refund right.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 1: 1. Where the passenger has bought the single multimodal contract through an intermediary, the contracting carrier may make the reimbursement referred to in Article 7(1) point (a) through that intermediary. In such cases, the intermediary shall be responsible for reimbursing the passenger in accordance with this Article.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 2: 2. The intermediary and the contracting carrier shall inform the passenger about the reimbursement process as provided for in this Article in a clear, comprehensible and easily accessible manner at the time of booking and on the booking confirmation and when a travel disruption occurs that entitles the passenger to the right to a refund or compensation under this Regulation.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 3: 3. Reimbursement through the intermediary shall be free of charge for passengers throughout the reimbursement procedure.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 4: 4. The carrier shall state publicly, in a clear, unambiguous and comprehensible manner, on their website, whether it is in agreement with the intermediary selected to sell its tickets and to process reimbursements through intermediaries, and with which intermediaries it accepts to do so. Intermediaries shall, at the time of the booking and prior to the purchase, inform the passenger in a clear, unambiguous and comprehensible manner as to whether they have entered into agreements with carriers to sell their tickets and process reimbursements and shall provide a list of those carriers.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 5 – point a: (a) the contracting carrier shall reimburse the intermediary, the exact full cost of the ticket as it had received for the ticket from the intermediary within seven days, in one transaction through the same payment method which was used at the time of booking, and linking the payment to the original booking reference. The seven-day period shall start on the date of the passenger’s choice of a reimbursement in accordance with Article 7(1), point (a), of this Regulation. The intermediary shall reimburse the passenger the exact full cost of the ticket and the intermediation fees via the original payment method, at the latest within a further seven days, and inform the passenger and the carrier thereof;

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 5 – point b: (b) the intermediary is required to notify the contracting carrier without delay upon paying the reimbursement to the passenger. If the passenger does not receive the reimbursement within 14 days as of the date of choosing a reimbursement in accordance with Article 7(1), point (a)of this Regulation or if the contracting carrier has not received notification regarding the reimbursement status or confirmation of payment fulfilment within 14 days, it shall contact the passenger in accordance with Article 7(5)(b), the contracting carrier shall contact the passenger at the latest on the day following the expiry of the 14-day period in order to receive the payment details for the reimbursement. Upon receipt of these payment details, the contracting carrier shall reimburse the passenger within 14 days and inform the passenger and the intermediary thereof.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 5 – point b a (new): (b a) Carriers and intermediaries shall provide passengers with the references of the money transfer such as the transaction number.

AddedArticle 8 – paragraph 5 a (new): 5 a. Intermediaries shall be liable for duly processing the reimbursement set out in paragraph 5. In the event of a breach of their obligations, intermediaries shall be subject to a penalty regime as defined by Member States in accordance with Article 25.

AddedArticle 9 – title: Assistance for single multimodal contracts

AddedArticle 9 – paragraph 1 – introductory part: 1. In the case of a delay of 60 minutes or more at the final destination caused by a missed connection of a subsequent transport service during a multimodal journey concluded under a single multimodal contract, which is due to a delay or cancellation of a preceding transport service under that same contract, the contracting carrier shall offer the passengers the following free of charge:

AddedArticle 9 – paragraph 1 – point b: (b) hotel or other accommodation, and transport between the terminal and place of accommodation, in cases where a stay of one or more nights or an additional stay becomes necessary, where and when physically possible. In cases where such a stay becomes necessary due to the circumstances referred to in Article 19(10) of Regulation (EU) 2021/782, the carrier may limit the duration of accommodation to a maximum of three nights. The access requirements of persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility and the needs of assistance dogs shall be taken into account.

AddedArticle 9 – paragraph 2: 2. In applying paragraph 1, the operating carrier shall pay particular attention to the needs of unaccompanied children, persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility, as well as to those of any accompanying persons and assistance dogs, including by providing, when necessary, alternative services, which may differ from those offered to other passengers.

AddedArticle 9 – paragraph 2 a (new): 2 a. In the event of a delay, transport service cancellation, or disruption, the operating carrier shall promptly inform passengers of the situation, including the estimated departure and arrival times of the service or any replacement service, as soon as the information becomes available. Intermediaries shall also provide that information to passengers without delay upon receiving it.

AddedArticle 10 – title: Liability for failing to clearly communicate that a ticket is not a single multimodal ticket

AddedArticle 10 – paragraph 1: 1. In accordance with Article 5, the intermediary or the carrier selling a combined multimodal ticket or a separate multimodal ticket shall inform the passenger prior to the purchase that such ticket consists of separate transport contracts and does not confer the same rights as a single multimodal ticket. This information shall be explicitly and clearly mentioned on the tickets, or on another document or electronically in such a manner that enables the passenger to reproduce the information for future reference. A carrier or intermediary which fails to clearly provide such information, shall be liable to reimburse the total amount paid for that ticket and, moreover, to pay compensation equivalent to 75 % of that amount if the passenger misses one or more connections. The right to reimbursement or to compensation shall be without prejudice to applicable national law granting passengers further compensation for damage. The burden of proof that the passenger was provided with the information shall lie with the carrier or intermediary that sold the combined multimodal ticket.

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 1: 1. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act establishing a common form for compensation and reimbursement requests under this Regulation. That common form shall be established in easily understandable and accessible formats and shall be published in all official languages. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 26(2).

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 2: 2. Passenger shall have the right to submit, at least in the language of their booking, their requests for compensation or reimbursement, either by using the common form referred to in paragraph 1 or by other means. The carrier or intermediaries in charge of the reimbursement of the passenger shall not reject a request for reimbursement or compensation solely on the grounds that the passenger has not used that form. If a request is not sufficiently precise, the carriers or intermediaries in charge of the reimbursement shall ask the passenger to clarify or complete the request and shall duly motivate the request for additional information and assist the passenger in doing so.

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 3: 3. Carriers or intermediaries shall provide the passenger with the common form as soon as the passenger is entitled to a refund or compensation under this Regulation. Carriers and intermediaries shall provide details on their website including at least an e-mail to which requests under paragraph 1 may be sent by electronic means and a postal address. Additionally, the reimbursement requests may also be submitted through other electronic means of communication such as a form on a website or mobile applications, allowing passengers to request reimbursement or compensation provided that such means offer the choice and information set out in the common form and are also available in an official language of the Union and in the language internationally accepted in this field. When using such means, passengers shall not be prevented from providing information in at least the language of the booking and in the language internationally accepted in this field.

AddedArticle 11 – paragraph 3 a (new): 3 a. Carriers and intermediaries shall provide passengers with an acknowledgement of receipt, regardless of the means of communication used. Upon request, passengers shall also be provided with a complete copy of the communication sent to carriers and intermediaries, including the date and key information allowing consumers to assert their rights under this Regulation.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 2: 2. Reservations and tickets for multimodal journeys, whether in the form of a single multimodal contract, a combined multimodal ticket or separate multimodal tickets, shall be offered to persons with disabilities and persons with reduced mobility at no additional cost. A carrier or intermediary may not refuse to accept a reservation from, or to issue a ticket to, a person with disabilities or a person with reduced mobility or require that such person be accompanied by another person, unless this is strictly necessary in order to comply with the access rules referred to in paragraph 1 including to meet applicable safety requirements.

AddedArticle 12 – paragraph 4: 4. Carriers offering single multimodal contracts and multimodal hub managers shall publish the access rules referred to in paragraph 1 and provide them, upon request, in a comprehensible and user-friendly language in an accessible format.