Protection of passengers with single tickets

Background

This EESC opinion assesses the proposal on Protection of passengers with single tickets which was unveiled by the European Commission in May 2026. This proposal, together with a proposal on Multimodal booking and on Rail ticketing, is part of the so-called Passenger Package.

Currently, rail passengers may lack full protection for the whole journey. With the revision, the Commission aims to close this protection gap by introducing the concept of a ‘single ticket’, which covers journeys consisting of two or more transport contracts purchased in a single commercial transaction. 

The Commission’s revision therefore aims to enhance and extend the protection available to passengers for a journey involving several railway undertakings.

Key points

The EESC:

• suggests that, in the event of missed connections and subsequent delays, passengers should be allowed to use rail services during the next leg of their trip, without any restriction, for the following 3 hours or using the first subsequent similar connection. Providers should ensure the availability of seats, even if this means upgrading to higher class of seat. An effective universal ‘insurance’ mechanism should be applied across the board.
• supports the introduction of automatic compensation and reimbursement mechanisms for passengers affected by delays, cancellations or missed connections when the trip concerned is covered by a single ticket. Where railway undertakings, ticket vendors or digital platforms already possess the necessary operational data, passengers should not be required to submit additional documentation or go through complex claims procedures.
• stresses that implementation of the revised Regulation should guarantee accessibility and inclusiveness for all categories of passengers, including older people, people with disabilities and those with reduced mobility, persons with limited digital skills or other vulnerable groups. Information about delays, cancellations, alternative routes, compensation procedures and passenger rights should be provided in real time, through accessible digital and non-digital channels.
• underlines that the provisions on exceptional circumstances and force majeure should be clarified and interpreted narrowly, so that they are not used to limit passengers’ rights in general. Regardless of the cause of the disruption, the right to information, assistance, rerouting and reimbursement should always be maintained.

Additional information

Section: Transport, Energy, Infrastructure and the Information Society (TEN)

Opinion number: TEN/857

Opinion type: Mandatory

Rapporteur: Baiba Miltoviča (Group III - Latvia)

Date of adoption by section: 4 September 2026

Result of the vote: 64 in favour, 0 against, 0 abstentions

Date of adoption in plenary: 23-24 September 2026

Result of the vote: 168 in favour, 0 against, 3 abstentions

Contact

Marco Pezzani

Press Officer

Tel.: +32 2 546 9793 | Mob: +32 470 881 903

E-mail: marco.pezzani@eesc.europa.eu 

Aleksandra Sarman Grilc

Administrator

Tel.: +32 546 8333

E-mail: aleksandra.sarmangrilc@eesc.europa.eu