Rail passengers in the EU receive strengthened protection of their rights

Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007 of the European Parliament and of the Council on rail passengers' rights and obligations entered into force on 3 December 2009. The purpose of this Regulation is to guarantee the rights of rail passengers and to improve the quality and efficiency of rail passenger transport services.

According to the Regulation, passengers have the right to receive information about the service both before and during the journey. "HOLDING BDZ" EAD provides this information through brochures, instructions, information boards, a website, and on-board staff. In case of schedule changes, "HOLDING BDZ" EAD informs the public in a timely manner.

Passengers are required to obtain a travel document (ticket or season ticket) before the start of the journey. Railway undertakings and ticket vendors offer tickets, through tickets, and reservations. "HOLDING BDZ" EAD ensures the sale of travel documents at railway stations and offices, and in cases where there is no ticket office, passengers can purchase tickets on the train.

Railway undertakings allow passengers to carry bicycles on the train, if technically feasible and without adversely affecting the service. "HOLDING BDZ" EAD provides this option on certain trains.

In case of delay, missed connections, or cancellation of a train, for which the railway undertaking is responsible, the passenger has the right to reimbursement, rerouting, or continuation of the journey under comparable transport conditions. The minimum compensation for delay is 25% of the ticket price for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes and 50% for a delay of 120 minutes or more.

Persons with disabilities and reduced mobility have the same rights as other passengers. "HOLDING BDZ" EAD provides transport services for these passengers at certain stations, with a prior request required.

To receive compensation, the passenger must submit a written claim for compensation and reimbursement for train delay, together with the original tickets and confirmation of the delay, to "BDZ - Passenger Transport" EOOD.

Passengers' rights are based on the Uniform Rules Concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Passengers by Rail (CIV), Regulation (EC) No 1371/2007, the General Conditions of Carriage GCC-CIV/PRR, Ordinance 43/2001 on rail transport of passengers, luggage, and parcels, and the Tariff for the carriage of passengers, luggage, and parcels in domestic traffic of "HOLDING BDZ" EAD.