Road travel

Policy

Regulation 181/2011 concerning the rights of passengers in bus and coach transport

It obliges operators to provide assistance and includes provisions on accessibility for persons with disabilities. In force since 2013.
              
It only concerns cross-border services and certain domestic services above 250 km, excluding many local and regional services which should also be made accessible.

Our advocacy work is ongoing, and we actively monitor the implementation with the help of our members.

Regulation 661/2009 concerning type-approval requirements for the general safety of motor vehicles, their trailers and systems, components and separate technical units intended therefor

Lays down technical requirements for buses with more than 22 seats.

Technical details are set out in

UN Regulation No. 107 “Uniform provisions concerning the approval of category M2 or M3 vehicles with regard to their general construction”. This UN Regulation is referenced in Annex IV of Regulation 661/2009 is obligatory within the EU. The requirements contained in this UN Regulation are similar to those enshrined in the repealed Directive 2001/85/EC, but are more elaborated and updated.

The requirements for technical devices facilitating access for passengers with reduced mobility as previously contained in Annex VII to the repealed Directive are now included in Annex 8 “Accommodation and accessibility for passengers with reduced mobility” to UN Regulation No 107.
     

EU Parking Card (Blue Badge)

Introduced in 2000 by a Recommendation of the Council of the European Union. This Parking Card allows persons with disabilities to park on disabled parking spaces anywhere in the EU if they display the card in their car. Even though recognized throughout the EU, the national authorities are still responsible for issuing the Card in each Member State.

More information

Website of the European Commission on road passengers’ rights