Alzheimer Europe has signed a joint statementcalling on the Council of the European Union to improve the rights of rail passengers. To date, 10 Members of the European Parliament and over 200 organisations who are active in the fields of disability, rights of older people, environment and passenger rights have signed the joint letter to EU leaders calling on them to reduce pre-notification periods for assistance during train travel in the upcoming revision of the EU Rail Passengers’ Regulation (1371/2006).
The letter notes that train travel is increasing important as a more environmentally sustainable means of transport, whilst highlighting that millions of persons with reduced mobility cannot access it freely, as obtaining the assistance needed to board the train is restricted and subject to lengthy pre-notification periods.
It is further highlighted that the revision of the Regulation has the potential to take a step in the right direction by making assistance available at all times. The European Parliament has proposed reducing the notification period from 48 hours to 2 hours, however, some EU Member States are blocking this change.
