Multimodal Digital Mobility Services – Pressure remains high for the European Commission to deliver
Brussels, 10 October 2023 – Today, eu travel tech joins a range of associations and policymakers to call again for the adoption of a proposal for the Regulation on Multimodal Digital Mobility Services (MDMS). It is an important opportunity for the EU to facilitate the booking of multimodal tickets for passengers but also enhance competition in passenger transport and take further steps in reaching its sustainability goals.
At an event which will be hosted today by MEPs Oetjen and Dalunde, representatives of the European Commission, European Parliament and several Member States will take the floor to lay out their views on the MDMS Regulation. eu travel tech’s message will be clear: a horizontal framework to make searching and booking all types of transport tickets easier is urgently needed.
This message is reflected in a joint statement to be released by BEUC, BT4Europe, ECTAA, the European Passengers’ Federation, GBTA, Transport & Environment, and eu travel tech at noon today. The associations representing consumers, passengers (leisure and business travelers), environmental groups, and ticket intermediaries call for the European Commission to make good on its promises to make travel booking easier and more transparent through the MDMS Regulation. The statement reiterates that the EU must remain committed to solving the pressing issues confronting ticket distribution in Europe.
Until a proposal is adopted, eu travel tech highlights that European regulators must address abusive ticketing practices by large transport operators wherever they occur. Regulatory investigations and decisions can enable consumer choice in key markets while an ambitious EU legislative framework is in the works. The recent decision by the German Competition Authority’s against Deutsche Bahn, the investigation against Renfe by the European Commission or the case against Ryanair by the Italian Competition Authority stand as positive examples.
Lastly, an illustrative website on the real-world benefits of the MDMS Regulation will also be published today at noon by BT4Europe, ECTAA, the European Passengers’ Federation, GBTA, Transport & Environment, and eu travel tech. The website uses real case studies to examine how EU legislation in this area can help to provide consumers with greater choice and transparency when booking their next trip.
