Entitled “Six truths about the new Passenger Rights Regulation in MMMs” the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transportemphasizes that the accessibility of public transport is a top priority and responds to SYRIZA which “continues the tradition of lies that we have become accustomed to, insists on the toxicity and adoption of fake news”.

“The reality, however, is completely different,” emphasizes the ministry

Truth 1: The new Regulation, regarding passenger rights, stipulates that every citizen, and especially people with disabilities or people with reduced mobility, have the right to board, without any direct or indirect discrimination, public road means of transport (buses, trolleys) and fixed track means (metro and tram)paying the fee defined by the legislation, per category of means of transport.

– Exceptionallyand in order the carriers to comply with applicable requirements security prescribed by international, EU or national law and the health and safety requirements prescribed by competent authorities or in cases where the design of the vehicle or the infrastructure, including bus stops and terminals or departure areas, makes it impossible to board, disembark or transportation of the disabled person in a safe and functionally feasible manner, is allowed to they refuse to book, issue or otherwise provide a ticket to, or to get on board people due to disability or reduced mobility.

True 2nd: Furthermore, with regard to the more specific obligations of carriers, it is provided that carriers that carry out regular urban transport by road means of transport and means of fixed track (Metro, Tram) they are obliged to serve people with disabilities and people with reduced mobilitytaking measures to ensure accessibility to transport for people with disabilities and reduced mobility and in general for those who need help (e.g. pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly, small children) and to encourage the use of Urban Transport by these people .

They are also obliged to ensure the operation of the network infrastructure and public reception facilities, so that accessibility is possible for people with disabilities, reduced mobility and those in need of assistance (e.g. pregnant women, the disabled, the elderly, small children) and inform the public when it is not possible to board/disembark/move the disabled person or reduced mobility in a manner that is safe and functionally feasible.

In addition to the above, carriers shall ensure that seats are marked within the vehicles and carriages for the above persons, shall ensure that such persons comply with the applicable safety requirements laid down by international, European or national law or the health and safety requirements laid down by designate the competent authorities and establish instructions and training procedures for the personnel who have direct contact with the passenger public for the awareness of disability issues, as described in the relevant Annex of the Regulation.

With regard specifically to the obligations of the carriers in the tactics long distance and international linesas well as on special national and international routes by road means of transport, the new Regulation provides that said carriers and their bodies do not refuse to accept a reservation, issue or otherwise provide a ticket to, or board without an additional reservation people due to disability or reduced mobility.

Exceptionally only possibility is provided denial of booking, issuing or otherwise providing a ticket or the boarding of a Person with a Disability or reduced mobility, only to comply with the applicable security requirements laid down by international, EU or national law, or the health and safety requirements laid down by competent authorities and where the design of the vehicle or the infrastructure, including bus stops and terminals, makes it impossible to board and transport in a safe and operationally feasible manner.

In other words, the new Regulation ensures that the safety of passengers is not jeopardized, especially of persons with disabilities or reduced mobility. In this case, something that SYRIZA fails to mention, it is provided that this person and every person who accompanies him has the right to choose: a) refund of the money paid for the ticket b) provision of free transportation of an accompanying person of the person’s choice with disability which will provide him with the assistance he needs!

Truth 3: The provisions of the New Regulation are fully harmonized with those of the European Regulation (EU) 181/2011. In particular, article 10 of the European Regulation states: “Notwithstanding the provisions of article 9 paragraph 1, carriers, travel agents and travel organizers may refuse to accept a reservation, issue or otherwise provide a ticket to, or to board, persons due to disability or reduced mobility: a) to comply with the applicable safety requirements defined by international, EU or national law, or the health and safety requirements defined by the competent authorities; b) when the design of the vehicle or the infrastructure, including bus stops and terminals, makes it impossible to board, disembark or transport the person with a disability or with reduced mobility in a safe and functionally feasible manner’.

Truth 4: Corresponding provisions were also contained in the old Passenger Regulation that was in force since 2015 (during the SYRIZA government), where it was stipulated that exceptionally, refusal is allowed booking, issuing or otherwise providing a ticket to, or the boarding of, persons with disabilities or reduced mobility in order for carriers to comply with applicable safety requirements set out in international, Community or national law and health and safety requirements set out by competent authorities authorities or in cases where the design of the vehicle or the infrastructure, including bus stops and terminals, makes it impossible to board, disembark or transport the person with a disability or with reduced mobility in a safe and functionally feasible manner.

Really 5th: SYRIZA argues that the Government should establish a stricter framework. The opposition remains unread, as the new Regulation foresees particularly harsh penalties. Particularly:

– for the refusal of boarding, booking, issuing or providing a ticket to a disabled person, the compensation increases from €30 to €200.

– for the untimely and out-of-date response to a citizen’s complaint for violation of rights, the compensation increases from €30 to €100.

– the administrative fine in case of non-payment of compensation for loss – damage to a wheelchair or other aids increases from €2,000 to €2,500.

Truth 6: According to SYRIZA, the Government is indifferent to the problems of our fellow citizens. However, the initiatives of the Ministry of Infrastructure completely deconstruct the arguments of the opposition. For example, a few days ago an amount of 11,772,000 million euros was granted to cover the travel of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), as well as large families on KTEL, with a reduced fare.

The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport, despite the fake news her opposition, will continue to work for the seamless, safe and equal treatment of all citizens in Public Transport. It is, after all, our main priority to improve the daily life of Persons with Disabilities, especially in terms of accessibility, always in cooperation with the respective Associations and Agencies that represent them.