New Passenger Rights: Finally, No More Worrying About Delays Across Europe

Thomas Dittmann knows European rail travel from both sides of the ticket counter. He has held a BahnCard 100 for 19 years and has travelled by train to Vienna, Copenhagen, Malmö and South Tyrol. As a passenger, he welcomes the European Commission’s plan to make rail travel across Europe simpler.

In his professional role, however, Dittmann sees the proposal differently. He works as head of operations at Benex GmbH, which holds stakes in seven railway companies operating regional trains in parts of Germany, including Lower Saxony, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Thuringia and Hesse.

As a manager, Dittmann worries that the improvements designed for passengers could hurt his business, even though Benex does not offer international connections. The concern reflects the dispute surrounding the EU initiative: passengers could gain easier access to continuous tickets and compensation when delays disrupt their journeys, while railway companies fear higher costs and broader liability.

The proposal aims to make international train travel easier to book and provide stronger legal protection for customers. Its reception is therefore divided, including within the experience of one rail enthusiast who also helps run regional railway operators.