The Commercial and Technical Groups of the Commercial and Distribution Forum held their meetings at UIC Headquarters in Paris on 8 and 9 September. As usual, they held a joint meeting on the morning of 9 September. Representatives from ATOC, Thalys, SNCF, MAV-Start, ÖBB, SBB, Linkon, NMBS/SNCB, NS, Attica Group, TRAINOSE, HITRAIL, CFL, DSB, NSB, ČD, ZSSK, DB, Trenitali, RENFE and FPC. The Commercial Group was chaired by Mr Rodrigo Hilario (RENFE) whereas the Technical Group was chaired by Mr Chris Querée. Mr Ruetger Fenkes, DB, Chairman of the Commercial and Distribution Forum, and Ms Roberta Rizzo, vice chairwoman, and Mr Barrón, Director of the Passengers and High Speed Department at UIC, were also present.
The presidents of the different working groups reported on their activities: Mr Laurent Pollet gave an overview of IRT’s work, Mr Alexander Masalowicz explained the latest developments in the NRT working group. Ms Sabine Dambuyant reported on the PATRIC Steering Board and the audit team activities. There were also presentations from Eurail and the CIT, whereas Marc Guigon reported on the MERITS/PRIFIS activity. The budget and the internal procedures of the Commercial Group were also discussed.
The new projects developed within the Commercial Group (along with the CDF Technical Group) were also discussed: there was a proposal regarding the Graphical Site Reservation and there was also time to talk about the new opt-in projects: URT-PRISM and URT app.
During the meeting of the Technical Group, the different subgroups reported on their activities: TAP-MD by Mr David Sarfatti and Mr Kurt de Vriendt, and Clemens Gantert gave an overview about TAP, which included the PKMW service report. Updated information about the future technical evolution of Leaflet 918-1 was given by Fabrice Setta, and finally, there was an update from Hermes regarding its activities.
The next Commercial and Technical Groups Meetings, and the Joint Meeting of both groups will take place in Paris, at UIC Headquarters on 15 and 16 March 2016.
