On 3 July 2025, the second volume of the Handbook on COTIF and its Implementation and Application by International Associations was published on the website of the Intergovernmental Organisation for International Carriage by Rail (OTIF). Whereas the first volume, released in October 2024, focuses on freight transport, volume two addresses rail passenger transport.

This volume was developed to promote and facilitate the uniform implementation and application of the Convention concerning International Carriage by Rail (COTIF). It was prepared by the Legal Department of the OTIF Secretariat in close cooperation with the International Rail Transport Committee (CIT), RailNetEurope (RNE), and UIC.

As a leading international railway organisation, UIC contributed its technical expertise and knowledge for the practical application of COTIF. By doing so, UIC is helping to harmonise international rail transport law, and enabling railway stakeholders worldwide to navigate the legal framework with confidence.

The handbook serves as an informative resource that highlights the international rail contract law governing the international carriage of passengers by rail, as established under COTIF. It presents and explains the various instruments and tools developed by international organisations to implement and apply COTIF effectively.

Designed for practical use, the handbook targets OTIF Member States and potential candidate countries, as well as their railway stakeholders.

The OTIF Secretariat extends its sincere thanks to CIT, RNE, and UIC for their cooperation in this project.

International rail contract law for the carriage of passengers is set out in Appendix A “Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of International Carriage of Passengers by Rail” (CIV UR), Appendix D “Uniform Rules concerning Contracts of Use of Vehicles in International Rail Traffic” (CUV UR), and Appendix E “Uniform Rules concerning the Contract of Use of Infrastructure in International Rail Traffic” (CUI UR) to COTIF.

By providing uniform international rail contract law, these appendices help to remove legal barriers to international transport, greatly facilitating and simplifying international rail passenger transport from a legal perspective.

For the full document, please follow the link below: Handbook_on_COTIF_and_its_implementation_and_and_application_by_international_associations.Draft_passengers.pdf