L 315/14 Official Journal of the European Union 3.12.2007 REGULATION (EC) No 1371/2007 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 23 October 2007 on rail passengers’ rights and obligations THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EURO- PEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Commu- nity, and in particular Article 71(1) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee (1), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (2), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty, in the light of the joint text approved by the Con- ciliation Committee on 31 July 2007 (3), Whereas: (1)  In the framework of the common transport policy, it is important to safeguard users’ rights for rail passengers and to improve the quality and effectiveness of rail passenger services in order to help increase the share of rail transport in relation to other modes of transport. (2) The Commission’s communication ‘Consumer Policy Strat- egy 2002-2006’ (*) sets the aim of achieving a high level of consumer protection in the field of transport in accordance with Article 153(2) of the Treaty. (3)  Since the rail passenger is the weaker party to the trans- port contract, passengers’ rights in this respect should be safeguarded. (4)  Users’ rights to rail services include the receipt of informa- tion regarding the service both before and during the jour- ney. Whenever possible, railway undertakings and ticket vendors should provide this information in advance and as soon as possible. (5)  More detailed requirements regarding the provision of travel information will be set out in the technical specifi- cations for interoperability (TSIs) referred to in Directive (1) O] C 221, 8.9.2005, p. 8. (2) OJ C 71, 22.3.2005, p. 26. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 28 September 2005 (O] C 227 E, 21.9.2006, p. 490), Council Common Position of 24 July 2006 (OJ C 289 E, 28.11.2006, p. 1), Position of the European Par- liament of 18 January 2007 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Legislative Resolution of the European Parliament of 25 September 2007 and Council Decision of 26 September 2007. (% OJ C 137, 8.6.2002, p. 2. 2001/16/EC of the European Parliament and of the Coun- cil of 19 March 2001 on the interoperability of the con- ventional rail system (°). (6)  Strengthening of the rights of rail passengers should build on the existing system of international law on this subject contained in Appendix A — Uniform rules concerning the Contract for International Carriage of Passengers and Lug- gage by Rail (CIV) to the Convention concerning Interna- tional Carriage by Rail (COTIF) of 9 May 1980, as modified by the Protocol for the modification of the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail of 3 June 1999 (1999 Protocol). However, it is desirable to extend the scope of this Regulation and protect not only international passengers but domestic passengers too. (7)  Railway undertakings should cooperate to facilitate the transfer of rail passengers from one operator to another by the provision of through tickets, whenever possible. (8)  The provision of information and tickets for rail passen- gers should be facilitated by the adaptation of computer- ised systems to a common specification. 9) The further implementation of travel information and res- ervation systems should be executed in accordance with the TSIs. (10)  Rail passenger services should benefit citizens in general. Consequently, disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility, whether caused by disability, age or any other factor, should have opportunities for rail travel comparable to those of other citizens. Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility have the same right as all other citi- zens to free movement, freedom of choice and to non- discrimination. Inter alia, special attention should be given to the provision of information to disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility concerning the accessibil- ity of rail services, access conditions of rolling stock and the facilities on board. In order to provide passengers with sensory impairment with the best information on delays, visual and audible systems should be used, as appropriate. Disabled persons and persons with reduced mobility should be enabled to buy tickets on board a train without extra charges. (°) OJL 110, 20.4.2001, p. 1. Directive as last amended by Commission Directive 2007/32/EC (O] L 141, 2.6.2007, p. 63).