During long on-train delays, what (if anything) should EU long distance operators be doing?
I'm aware that, under the Flight Delay Compensation Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, airlines flying to the EU, and EU airlines flying from the EU have certain obligations in the event of delays.
Is there anything similar for long distance cross-border trains within the European Union? During long delays, are there any things that the operator should be doing / offering to passengers during that time?
(This question inspired by a Eurostar delay, but ideally should cover other EU long distance trains too, as I've been delayed on those on other journeys...)
Best Answer
Yes, there is a similar regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations. Its application is mandatory for international trains operating within the EU. Member states may excempt domestic long distance traffic during a transition period. The regulation does not apply for domestic, regional traffic.
Summarized, it gives the passengers the right to
- a refund of 25% of the ticket price in case of a delay of 60 to 119 minutes at the destination station
- a refund of 50% of the ticket price in case of a delay of 120 minutes or more
- meals and refreshments within reasonable limits
- accommodation where a stay of one or more nights becomes necessary
- transport to the departure or arrival point if the train is blocked on the track
The refund must be made in cash, if the passenger requests so.
You can find a more complete layman-friendly summary of the regulations here.
Since international train travel in most cases involve several train operators, it may be difficult to find the right operator to contact for a refund. Usually, you can contact the operator, from which you bought your ticket.
It is perhaps also worth to notice, that some EU countries have national regulations and some train operators have their own refund conditions, which are more favourable for the passengers than this. E.g. in the UK, you can in most cases get a 50% refund in case of a 30 minutes delay and a 100% refund if your train is delayed more than one hour.
Pictures about "During long on-train delays, what (if anything) should EU long distance operators be doing?"
Who is responsible for train late?
In a significant order, the Supreme Court has said that every passenger's time is \u201cprecious\u201d and the Railways is liable to pay the compensation for 'delay and late arrival of trains' unless it proves that the delay was due to the reasons beyond their control.What happens if train is delayed?
If the train is running late by more than three hours of scheduled departure, no cancellation charge will be levied. Full money will be refunded to passengers holding confirmed, RAC, and wait-listed tickets in such case (subject to the condition that the ticket is surrendered prior to actual departure of train).How long does a train have to be delayed for compensation?
You can get a full refund if your train journey is cancelled. If you're delayed and arrive at your destination more than half an hour late, you'll usually be able to get some money back. Some train companies will also give you compensation if your train is more than 15 minutes late.Can I claim for my train being delayed?
If you arrive late at your destination because of a delay or cancellation to a National Rail service, you can claim your Delay Repay compensation. Depending on the train operator you'll be travelling with, you can claim compensation if there's a 15-minute or 30-minute delay to your journey.Why are Britain’s trains so bad - could nationalisation fix them?
More answers regarding during long on-train delays, what (if anything) should EU long distance operators be doing?
Answer 2
There are various compensation rules for long-distance trains, both cross-border and national.
Edit: The compensation rules for Deutsche Bahn can be found here. They explain compensation for delays of more than one or two hours, follow-up transportation in case of missed connections, and reimbursements for overnight accommodations.
The page also has some links on Europe-wide and other European regulations.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Krivec Ales, Cody King, Nout Gons, Jan Kroon