Taking account of the steady growth of this transport sector the aim of this proposal is to establish EU-wide rights for the protection of passengers comparable to those in other modes of transport and to secure a level playing field between carriers from different Member States as well as the various modes of transport.

The package is important because of the need for a clear and harmonised approach on the current system of cabotage instead of different approaches in the various Member States and also access to the market for transport operators.

The provisions on the responsibility to inform passengers in the event of a departure being delayed should therefore be supplemented so that passenger information is provided not only by the carrier or the port manager, but also by the operator or the authorised issuer of tickets, as is the practice in a number of Member States.

8. Prefers therefore the inclusion of cabotage in the agreement, as without cabotage an agreement will tend to be in favour of US carriers, who are allowed flights between points in different EU Member States, whereas EU carriers are not allowed flights between points in the US;

Why are illegal immigrants trespassing on various sites used by rail freight transporters?

- - - 1 - SERVICES FREE FROM AUTHORISATION REQUIREMENT Before After ------ ----- a) A few occasional services a) Almost all occasional services, namely : - closed door tours - services already free from - outward journey laden and return authorisation (see facing journey unladen column) - certain services - services carrying various groups of passengers on round trips - one-way services carrying groups of passengers between Member States - services organised for special occasions (conférences, etc.). b) - b) Shuttle services with accomodation (defined as at least 2 nights stay) ; these services may also stop at a maximum of 3 places en route passengers able to return on any subsequent service. Shuttle services with accomodation may carry a ...[+++] certain percentage of travel only passengers c) - c) Most special regular services (services carrying workers, school-children, military personnel + frontier urban transport), provided they are subject to a contract between organiser and carrier. d) Transport by non-profit making d) Transport by non-profit organisations subject to a variety of making organisations of national rules and provisions of their own members in their bilateral agreements own vehicules subject to certification - - - 2 - AUTHORISATION PROCEDURES Before After ------ ----- a) Applications for almost all services a) Applications for regular and to be examined except in light of shuttle services without effects on existing markets (all accomodation to be allowed transport modes) and taking account unless proposed service of whether operators already in market would threaten existing could organise such a service regular coach services or themselves comparable rail service or is aimed exclusively at the most lucrative existing services. b) Countries where passengers are b) Countries where passengers picked up or set down and transit are picked up or set down countries may oppose a request for may oppose a request for authorisation authorisation c) No time-limit ...