The IRT (Integrated Reservation Ticketing) working group held his meeting in Paris from 14 – 15 March at UIC Headquarters in Paris. Representatives from MAV START, NMBS/SNCB, SBB, HITRAIL, TRAINOSE, TRENITALIA, SNCF, CD, DB, ÖBB, THALYS, LINKON, EUROSTAR and RENFE-SNCF in cooperation were present. Laurent Pollet, president of the group, chaired the meeting.

The meeting started with a presentation from EUROSTAR about their ticketing requirements through ETAP, which includes the provision of identification by the customers. This was followed by a presentation by the RENFE-SNCF joint venture (former ELIPSOS) and their distribution system.

The chairman made a proposal regarding the need for a document that should contain best practices for the bilateral contracts regarding IRT distribution, and it was agreed to continue the work on this subject by conducting a study of the pre-existing documents on the issue. This was followed by a revision of the Special Conditions of Carriage in the context of updating UIC Leaflet 106.

The second session began with a presentation from CIT regarding several topics starting with the common glossary for IRT, NRT and EWT, SCIC documents and followed by the new Manual for International Rail Tickets (MIRT).

The next IRT meeting will take place on 14 and 15 September, place to be determined.