On 28 and 29 November 2024, the annual meeting of the Passenger Accounts and Ticketing Rules Inspection Committee (PATRIC) was held in Utrecht, Netherlands. This crucial session brought together stakeholders to discuss developments and review processes within the framework of international ticketing and revenue allocation.
PATRIC, chaired by Pierre Watier of the National French Railways (SNCF), plays a pivotal role in ensuring the integrity of ticketing and accounting systems across the rail industry.
Its primary role is to ensure that all parties follow the multilateral agreements related to the distribution of domestic and international tickets, as these provide a regulatory foundation that supports transparency and fairness in ticketing operations.
While the agreements establish clear guidelines, the transactions involved are not always supported by automated data exchanges with vendor systems. Consequently, bookkeeping for certain ticket types relies on sales data sets being subsequently uploaded into international accounting systems.
In this intricate system, carriers trust that the revenue from ticket sales will be accurately calculated and allocated to the rightful entities, as well as that conditions of carriage, fares, and measures to secure revenue are properly applied. Therefore, to ensure compliance, the PATRIC auditors conduct intermittent audits, which are essential for verifying that revenue distribution aligns with established rules and adapts to the evolving competitive landscape of the rail sector.
The 2024 PATRIC meeting reaffirmed its commitment to upholding these standards while fostering cooperation between international carriers. Through its work, PATRIC continues to ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in global rail ticketing.
Feedback from an audited company highlighted their appreciation for the UIC audit team’s professionalism, friendliness, and collegial approach, stating that an external perspective on the company’s activities within the audit scope is always useful and beneficial.
Additionally, this year, FIP (international rail staff reduced rate) cards were added to the points audited. This evolution highlights the dynamic nature of the PATRIC working group, which is constantly adapting to address emerging needs and challenges within the railway sector.
