WRITTEN QUESTION E-3500/01

by Erik Meijer (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Longer journey times and fare rises for rail passengers due to the introduction of an inflexible ticketing system for high-speed trains

1. Is the Commission aware that long-distance rail services in Europe have traditionally enabled passengers to decide at the very last moment to travel on the next train, as tickets may be used at different times within their period of validity on trains travelling at different speeds and sometimes even on different routes?

2. Is the Commission also aware that, traditionally, it has also been possible to pay the conductor any surcharges for express services and any reservation charges after boarding the train, if necessary, and that only reservations for seats, beds or couchettes lapse without any right to a refund if they are not used at the appointed time?

3. Can the Commission confirm that a quite different rail ticketing system is developing, particularly for high-speed train services, similar to that which applies to flying, so that passengers no longer have the option of choosing to travel on the next train but must instead always take measures in advance in order to gain access to the train legitimately, and that once purchased, tickets are valid only on a predetermined train?

4. How can passengers whose departure time depends when they complete their business be protected against unnecessary delays arising from the need to book in advance, against denial of access to a departing train and against the imposition of fines for failure to obtain in advance a ticket valid at a particular time?

5. What will the Commission do to ensure that, at least in the case of frequent rail services (those departing every two hours or more frequently) on routes of up to 750 km, it remains possible to decide immediately before the departure time to take a particular train, so that travelling by train remains almost as flexible as the use of a private car and so as to avoid unnecessary prolongation of journeys after the introduction of high-speed train services?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(20 February 2002)

1. and 2. Yes. The Commission is aware of the terms and conditions applicable to international train services.

3. The Commission has recently launched a study on the Competitiveness of International Rail Passenger Services to other modes of Transport throughout the European Union. One of the first results of this study indeed shows the emergence of new ticketing systems applied on e.g. the Eurostar or the Thalys link, which make use of yield management. This ticketing system does not mean that rail passengers have less choice as they have the possibility to buy a ticket or to change their reservation shortly before the scheduled departure of the train, depending on seat availability and the type of ticket they initially purchased. According to Council Directive 91/440/EEC of 29 July 1991 on the development of the Community's railways(1), Railway Undertakings have to operate as much as possible as normal, commercial, undertakings. The introduction of yield management techniques, similar to those used by airlines, has therefore increased the possibilities of railway undertakings to increase revenues and thereby improving the economic value and attractiveness of rail passenger transport.

4. and 5. In its White Paper on European transport policy for 2010(2): time to decide, the Commission has announced that it will table proposals in 2002 to safeguard the quality of rail services and users' rights. It will notably contain proposals on passenger rights, such as compensation in the event of delays of international trains. It will also contain a request to the railway undertakings to come forward with voluntary service quality commitments for international passengers services.

Specific measures as suggested in the question of the Honourable Member can not be envisaged as the Commission does not have the necessary competences. Within the framework of the Regulation (EEC) No 1191/69 of the Council of 26 June 1969 on action by Member States concerning the obligations inherent in the concept of a public service in transport by rail, road and inland waterway(3) however, Member States can conclude contracts with Railway Undertakings in which provisions can be included on e.g. the accessibility, frequency and price of (international) rail services.

(1) OJ L 237, 24.8.1991.

(2) COM(2001) 370 final.

(3) OJ L 156, 28.6.1969.