The European Commission reported that the Regulation that lays down travellers' basic rights, and imposes a number of obligations on bus and coach companies and terminal managers concerning their responsibility towards the passengers, just entered into force.

Since the 1 March 2013, Regulation (EU) No 181/2011 on bus and coach passenger rights that lays down travellers' basic rights, and imposes a number of obligations on bus and coach companies and terminal managers concerning their responsibility towards the passengers, is into force. The bus and coach regulation lays down passenger rights similar to those for air, train and boat transport. In December 2010, the EP and the Council reached an agreement on regulation about bus and coach passengers rights.

In particular, the new rights include the non-discrimination based on nationality regarding tariffs and other contract conditions; non-discriminatory treatment for disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility; adequate and accessible information for all passengers before and during their journey, as well as general information in bus terminals and on the internet about their rights; and the reimbursement of the full ticket price or rerouting in case of overbooking, cancellation or delay of more than 2 hours from the estimated time of departure (only applicable for journeys of more than 250 km distance).

Moreover the new rights include the compensation of 50% of the ticket price in addition to the reimbursement of the full price in case of overbooking, cancellation or a delay of more than 2 hours from the estimated time of departure, when the bus and coach company fails to offer the passenger the right to choose between reimbursement and rerouting (only applicable for journeys of more than 250 km distance); adequate assistance (snacks, meals, refreshments, as well as, if necessary, accommodation) in case of cancellation or delay of more than 90 minutes for journeys longer than 3 hours (only applicable for journeys of more than 250 km distance); compensation for death, injury, loss or damage to luggage caused by road accidents; a complaint handling mechanism established by the bus and coach companies and available to all passengers; setting-up of independent bodies in each EU Member State with the mandate to enforce the regulation and, where appropriate, to impose penalties.