With an overwhelming majority vote the European Parliament approved the “3rd Railway Package”, the new EU set of rules that regulates the specific sector of passenger transport services. The current proposal, which ought to become European law by the end of this year, indicates 2008 as the deadline for the complete liberalization of services. The basic political objective consists in taking the necessary steps to ensure that governments increase the number of passengers who travel by train. Rail companies will be called to reimburse passengers, within the month in which the application is made, in cash and no longer through the issuing of travel vouchers or free tickets, according to the following indications: – 25% of the price of the ticket for a delay of 60 minutes or more; – 50% for a delay of 120 minutes or more; – 75% for a delay of 180 minutes or more. www.europarl.eu.int/news/public/documents_par_theme/910/default_it.htm
