WRITTEN QUESTION E-1075/03

by Claude Moraes (PSE) to the Commission

(31 March 2003)

Subject: Travel discrimination against disabled people

The current policy of SNCF (France) is to refuse to allocate or reserve seating for a blind passenger and their guide dog, but it will make a reservation for a person using a wheelchair.

Is the Commission aware of the anomalies and unfair practices which exist in some Member States in relation to the use by bus and train companies of disabled persons seats and their rules relating to the admission of guide dogs to buses and trains?

Has the Commission undertaken any research into provisions in airline policy for the admission of guide dogs in aeroplane cabins, and policies on aid to wheelchair users on airlines?

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(15 May 2003)

The Commission is currently preparing a proposal for a regulation on passengers rights and obligations in international rail services and has recently published a consultation document which includes a number of proposed services for persons with reduced mobility (PRM). These include information which should be made available in an appropriate way for all PRM, including blind and deaf people, training of staff to deal with the needs of PRM, and consultation of passenger organisations in the provision of suitable services, in particular those associations connected with PRM. The consultation document and the replies received by stakeholders can be found at: http://europa.eu.int/comm/transport/rail/passenger/initiative_en.htm. The specific situation regarding the Société Nationale des Chemins de Fer français (SNCF), as well as other rail transport operators with regard to the situation of guide dogs, remains the responsibility of the national or regional authorities concerned.

Specific requirements for accessibility to buses are contained in the Directive relating to special provisions for vehicles for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats(1). In addition to setting down the technical specifications for ramps or lifts in these vehicles, the Directive also includes provisions which require priority seating for persons with reduced mobility, a designated area for wheelchairs, space for a guide dog, and colour contrasting for visually impaired passengers.

With regard to air transport operators, the Commission's recent amended proposal(2) for a Regulation establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to air passengers includes an article which stipulates that an operator shall not deny boarding to a person with reduced mobility, to an accompanying person or certified service dog, or to an unaccompanied child (Article 6). More generally, the European Civil Aviation Conference has adopted guidelines on facilitating the transport of persons with reduced mobility. These recommendations cover, among other things, information for passengers, assistance in proceeding from both the point of arrival at the airport to the aircraft and from the aircraft to the point of departure from the airport, assistance in embarking and disembarking, and the carriage of guide dogs inside the aircraft cabin. The Commission intends to propose legislation to guarantee certain rights of persons with reduced mobility towards the end of 2003.

(1) Directive 2001/85/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2001 relating to special provisions for vehicles used for the carriage of passengers comprising more than eight seats in addition to the driver's seat, and amending Directive 70/156/EEC and 97/27/EC, OJ L 42, 13.2.2002.

(2) OJ C 71 E, 25.3.2003.