In this article we are writing about rail passenger rights for delayed trains.

Trains are often delayed in Hungary, but it’s important to know the length of the delay. As in all major sectors, there is also an EU Regulation about rail passenger rights.

Under the Regulation, in the case of a cancellation or a delay of more than 60 minutes, passengers have the right to the reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket for the part of the journey not made, or continuation or re-routing under comparable transport conditions at the earliest opportunity or at a later date at the passengers’ convenience.

If passengers do not opt for reimbursement, they may claim a compensation for the delay. The Regulation sets the minimum compensation but railway undertakings can pay more compensation based on the transport contract. The rail passenger can claim minimum 25% of the ticket price for a delay of 60 to 119 minutes, and minimum 50% of the ticket price for a delay of 120 minutes or more. The passenger having a travel pass or season ticket can be entitled to compensation in accordance with the railway undertaking’s compensation arrangements. The compensation must be paid in money within one month after the submission of the request. Under the Regulation the compensation of the ticket price cannot be reduced by financial transactions costs such as fees, telephone costs or stamps. However, railway undertakings may introduce a minimum threshold under which payments for compensation will not be paid. This threshold shall not exceed EUR 4.

It is also important that the passenger is not entitled to compensation if he or she is informed of a delay before he buys a ticket, or if a delay due to continuation on a different service or re-routing remains below 60 minutes.

You can read the detailed rules on railway undertakings’ websites in accordance with these provisions.

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Author: dr. Zsuzsanna Burján