New travel protection expected for ferry travellers
Ferry Online Travel News 08/07/2010
People travelling as passengers by sea could soon have new protection against delays and cancellations.
New European Union rules are expected to come into force that would bring the rights of passengers travelling by sea in line with those of air passengers. At the moment, if a ferry is delayed or cancelled, passengers can get a refund or take a later journey.
Soon, ferry passengers and other passengers of maritime services could have rights similar to those of airline travellers. Journeys that are cancelled or delayed by 90 minutes or more could trigger refunds or re-routing. Passengers left stranded by travel disruption could have the right to free meals and lodging for up to three nights.
The new measures could also so compensation of up to half the ticket value for cancelled or delayed journeys. At the moment, any compensation has to be pursued through travel insurance or the credit card company, if the ticket was bought on a credit card.
The European Union recently voted in support of special rules for travel on waterways within the EU. Sim Kallas, European Union vice-president, and head of transport issues, said the EU was aiming to introduce similar rules for travellers, wherever and however they travel in the EU. Rules could also soon be introduced for coach and bus travel.
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