Fogyasztóvédők Magyarországi Egyesülete

  Ways of travelling

 

Road travelling

Travel by bus

Travel by rail

Travel by plane

 

 

Road travelling

Many dicide in favor of their own vehicle, when choosing between ways of travelling. Among these travellers there is a rising number of those, whose destination is abroad, especially the member states of the European Union. There are many things for the travellers to be aware of when they using their vehicle for a forign trip.
 

Highway Code

Every drivig licence obtained in any of the member states of the European Union is valid within the EU’s whole territory. Therefore no one is allowed to question the validity of our driving licence in name of any authority of the member states, just because it was made in Hungary. Furthermore there is no need for extra indication of country code on a vehicle in case of a licence plate made within any member state of the EU, on which in the upper left corner holds a county code surrounded by 12 yellow stars alltogether on a blue vertical stripe. But other non-EU countries can require other state indication codes in connection with these licence plates.

 

Compulsory insurace

It is worth to know that the application of the compulsory liability insurance contract concluded with any insurance company entitled for it in Hungary by the operator of a vehicle which operation site is in Hungary, covers the territory of the member states of the European Economic Area and Switzerland. Furthermore the application of the contract covers the territory of those states who are involved in he international Green Card System and have an agreement with the Hungarian National Office.
In these countries the green card practically functions as a sort of an international compulsory liability insurance certificate. In case of a caused damage by the insurant outside of the territory of the Republic of Hungary on the previously stated territory of countries the responsibility of the insurance company is according to the vehicle liability insurance regulations of the counry where the act of damaging took place. If the amount of the obligation stated in the contract is higher than the amount provided in the country’s regulations in which the damage took place, the insurance company obligation is till the amount stated in the contract. The green card can be applied for at the contracted insurance company for free. When travelling abroad it is also worth to claim for a so called european accident declaration form beside the green card, in order to ease the administration in case of a forign accident.

 

Highway tolls

It is comfortable to go on a summer holiday by somebody’s own car but sometimes is also an adveturous way of travelling. Besides the changing prices of petrol one has to count for the altering amount of highway tolls in different countries aswell.
Finally it is worth to pay attention to that in some member states of the Europen Union different speed limits are valid or even the permitted regulations of consumption of alcohol can differ.

 

Practical advises
 

• Be sure to observe the traffic rules of the member states during the trip, otherwise we can count for a significant amount of fines. If we still get in trouble, or meet with an accident, be careful what will be written into the offical minutes, and if we don’t agree with something, take objection to it!
• If you leave the country, get the green card (our insurer gives free run of it for free).
• Drive carefully, because the vehicle is a so-called hazardous operation, so if we cause damage through our own error, we have increased liability, regardless of whether we have acted in a manner that can generally be expected when an accident occures.
• Plan the tolls, bridge and tunnel fees into the travelling expenses in advance.
   

Travel by bus

The regular, scheduled passenger is a public service, what can be used by anyone under the conditions of travel. Regular passenger services can be local and long distance or even international as well.

In case of travel abroad it is also worth to look around between the ticket prices of international buses, when we organize our travel individually, not by a travel agency. It should be noted that we can use not only the scheduled basis, but the so-called shuttle service (during which preformed groups of passengers are transported forth and back from the same departure to the same destination) and other non-scheduled buses as well, when traveling abroad. The conditions and rates of these services may vary from country to country.

It is important to note that by serving our security, next to the maybe different terms and conditions the buses have to meet strict technical and material conditions in every case, regardless of from where and to where we travel in the contracted countries. (it’s ensured by the so-called INTERBUS agreement in which next to the EU Member States Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina has taken part as well).

Worth to mention, that the bus is also a so-called hazardous operation, so its operator has an increased liability related to the damages caused by an accident. (this rule is applied in all member states of the European Union). The terms and conditions of the economic organisation, which operates the buses, and the concerning civil right rules (laid in the different civil codes) shall be applied to the compensation of damages arisen because of delays, lost and damaged luggages. The EU Commission plans to take steps in 2010 for harmonization of the bus travel rules of the member states.
 

Practical advises

 

• Before the trip check the exact bus schedules. Give a ring to the information service of the bus operator and ask for the departure times and travel times on the given day, in order to avoid unnecessary waiting. In addition, it’s better to get information about the possible dates of the return journey and to redeem the ticket in advance.
• Note that during the journey a special contract is created between the provider and the passenger, and general terms and conditions (which may be a part of the user agreement) are often applied as well, it is worth to study these terms and conditions well in advance in order to prevent nuisance and disputes later.
• Because of the limited possibilities for movement when traveling, our feet may become heavy, muscles cramp during the long journey. Therefore, comfortable clothing and shoes should be worn, pillows shoul be prepared to buttress our neck, waist. In addition, it is also important to take enough liquid with us.

 

Travel by rail

The railway company among the public transportation operates trains on the lines defined in the public agenda. These are available for the related fee in return. The railway company has to make a passenger user agreement, which includes the general terms and conditions and the most important rules of rail travel.
We can use the railway service not just inland, but in the whole territory of the European Union, but pay attention to that we can still meet with wide track railroads on some areas (in the eastern-european region), on these areas the transport is possible only with transfer. We can travel abroad with an international, qualitiy night international, and especially into the neighboring member states travelling local trains. It’s worth to ask for the tariffs and conditions of these trains by the information offices of the railway companies.
The rules of increased liability presribed by the Civil Code to the damages originating from hazardous operations are applicable to the material and non-material damages caused in connection with the rail transport, these rules vary from country to country (of course on the basis of it the judicial practice may be also different).
 

Practical advises

 

• If we want to plan our route in advance, it is worth to use the online databases of the railway companies operating in the European Union.
• If we have selected rail lines and there is no direct connection, try to get information about the chances of accommodation around the stations, this way we can avoid the unpleasant situations, if we need to wait longer somewhere for the transfer.
• If we have any question in connection with the services, on the one hand it’s good to turn to the information service of the railway company, ont he other hand to study the terms and conditions.

 

Travelling by plane

On the basis of air passinger transport contract, the airline transports the passengers and their luggage from the departure airport to the arrival airport. Travelling by plane is mostly expensive, that’s why the price of a service is the most important criterion for the average consumer. The airport tariffs and taxes may be very different dependig on what airline or airport we are talking about. ). If a company keeps the fares influencing the total cost quiet, (plus airport taxes, booking fee), it’s suitable for the unfair manipulation of consumer choices and, as such behavior can serve as the basis of carrying out proceeding.

There is a Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council about establishing common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding and of cancellation or long delay of flights. This Regulation shall apply to passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies and to passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the Treaty applies, unless they received benefits or compensation and were given assistance in that third country, if the operating air carrier of the flight concerned is a Community carrier.
 

This Regulation applies to:

 

• passengers departing from an airport located in the territory of a Member State to which the EC Treaty applies; and
• passengers departing from an airport located in a third country to an airport situated in the territory of a Member State to which the EC Treaty applies,

 

On condition that the passengers have a confirmed reservation on the flight concerned and, except in the case of cancellation, present themselves for check-in at the time indicated in advance or, if no time is indicated, not later than 45 minutes before the published departure time.
 

This Regulation establishes passengers' rights if:

 

• they are denied boarding against their will;
• their flight is cancelled;
• their flight is delayed.

 

This Regulation does not apply to passengers travelling free of charge or at a reduced fare not available directly or indirectly to the public.
 

Denied boarding

When an air carrier reasonably expects to deny boarding on a flight, it first calls for volunteers to surrender their reservations in exchange for certain benefits. If an insufficient number of volunteers come forward to allow the remaining passengers to board the flight, the air carrier may then deny boarding to passengers against their will, in which case it must compensate them.
Air carriers give priority to persons with reduced mobility and any persons accompanying them.

In the event of flight cancellation or denied boarding, the passengers concerned have the right to:

 

• reimbursement of the cost of the ticket within seven days or a return flight to the first point of departure or re-routing to their final destination;
• care (refreshments, meals, hotel accommodation, transport between the airport and place of accommodation, two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails);
• compensation totalling:
• EUR 250 for all flights of 1500 kilometres or less;
• EUR 400 for all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres, and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres;
• EUR 600 for all other flights.

 

Delays

The Regulation introduces a three-tier system:

• n the event of long delays (two hours or more, depending on the distance of the flight), passengers must in every case be offered free meals and refreshments plus two free telephone calls, telex or fax messages, or e-mails;
• if the time of departure is deferred until the next day, passengers must also be offered hotel accommodation and transport between the airport and the place of accommodation;
• when the delay is five hours or longer, passengers may opt for reimbursement of the full cost of the ticket together with, when relevant, a return flight to the first point of departure.
   

Upgrading and downgrading

If an air carrier places a passenger in a class lower than that for which the ticket was purchased, the passenger must be reimbursed within seven days, as follows:

• 30% of the price of the ticket for all flights of 1500 kilometres or less;
• 50% of the price of the ticket for all intra-Community flights of more than 1500 kilometres, except flights between the Member States and the French overseas departments, and for all other flights between 1500 and 3500 kilometres;
• 75% of the price of the ticket for all other flights, including flights between the Member States and the French overseas departments.

 

Cancellation

If your flight is cancelled due to reasons within the airline’s control, the operating airline should provide you with either a refund of your ticket or alternative transport to your final destination. Under certain circumstances, and as long as the cancellation is not the result of a force majeure incident beyond its control such as a war or natural disaster, the airline has to pay you financial compensation. It also has to give you meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation, if necessary, communication facilities and a written statement about your rights as a passenger
 

Overbooking

If there are too many passengers booked for the seats available, the airline firstly has to call for volunteers willing to give up their seats. It is only then that an airline can decide not to take certain passengers on board. It is subsequently obliged to offer you financial compensation. You are also entitled to meals and refreshments, hotel accommodation if necessary, communication facilities and a written statement about your rights as a passenger.
 

Lost luggage

You may claim compensation for destruction, damage, loss or delay of your luggage on a flight by an EU airline, anywhere in the world.
 

Practical advises

 

• Firstly we should ask for help by the information services of the airlines, in connection with the costs, fares, lost luggages and other problems.
• Of course, the airlines have to create general terms and conditions as well, it contains the detailed conditions of recoursing services. (for the charter lines also, separatly).
• EU countries are obliged to set up independent national bodies to deal with passengers’ complaints and any disputes they may have with airlines. For the name and address of the relevant authority, or details of organisations which can advise or help with other complaints (e.g. loss of luggage, injury, and package holidays), contact Europe Direct by freephone on 00 800 6 7 8 9 10 11, or by e-mail via the website europedirect.europa.eu.