The new UIC Multimodal Working Group launched its kick-off webinar on the morning of 30 January, with around 60 participants attending online.
Introduced by Luca Mariorenzi (FS), Chairman of the UIC Passenger Experts Subgroup, and David Safartti, UIC Senior Passenger Advisor, the aim of the new working group is to make multimodality an ongoing activity of the UIC Passenger Services Group. This initiative is in line with the Ticketing Roadmap published by CER in 2021, which commits European railway undertakings to improve international ticketing for rail and which has specific objectives regarding multimodality from 2025 onwards.
The webinar was the occasion to present the three workstreams of the new group that will be managed by the Passenger Services Group (PSG) and which will be a continuation of the opt-in projects that have been carried out since 2019, namely:
- Air+Rail
- Door-to-Door
- Next Generation Revenue Sharing (NGRS)
David Sarfatti took the opportunity to present the new operating model and missions of the new group, in particular with the aim of having a unifying vision and alignment of multimodal activities, developing solutions in synergy with the multimodal objectives of UIC members, as well as generating multimodal benefits from other UIC initiatives such as OSDM (Open Sales and Distribution Model), MERITS (Multiple East-West Railways Integrated Timetable data Storage), Realtime (UIC-Real-Time-Mobility-Data-Exchange), FCB (Flexible Content Barcode) and eTCD (electronic Ticket Control Database).
The webinar took a deep dive into the three workstreams of the Multimodal Working Group:
Regarding Air+Rail, Stefano Scarci (EY) explained the importance of continuing rail’s collaboration with air transport in order to improve the passenger experience, expand growth, tackle climate change, and strengthen mutual cooperation through the UIC-IATA Memorandum of Understanding, signed in 2020.
David Sarfatti presented the Door-to-Door workstream and in particular how the OEM3 model, consisting of a set of digital specifications and IT services, can simplify the implementation and operation of key components of multimodal door-to-door mobility, including booking, validation, inspection and revenue settlement.
Finally, UIC Passenger Accounting Group Chairman David Hiscock presented the Next Generation Revenue Sharing (NGRS) workstream. The adoption of the NGRS model and specifications by rail companies and mobility partners will enable the apportionment of revenues among partners in multi-operator and multimodal contexts and will bring a series of benefits and advantages across different levels for all the players involved. The NGRS model is designed to complement Air+Rail and Door-to-Door services and is open to all modes of transport.
An open discussion was held at the end of the webinar to discuss the group’s expectations and achievements, with an emphasis on encouraging non-UIC members to join the group.
