*Update* - ETTSA secretary general Christoph Klenner says the Amadeus-led consortium is a study and proof-of-concept while Full Service Model is a project to develop architecture based on common standards. At the end of 16 months FSM should enable GDSs and railways to build interfaces enabling rail to be distributed via various channels including GDS, online and traditional agents.
Original story from here:
European rail operators and ticket vendors plan to simplify rail bookings, regardless of booking channel, and increase commercial opportunities for operators and ticket providers via a new initiative.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed by companies from both sides, represented by European technology body ETTSA, travel agents organisation ECTAA and railway association CER.
The MoU kicks off what is being called Full Service Model which, according to a statement, will use modern technology to make it easier and cheaper parties to provide accurate and transparent information about rail products.
For the next 16 months, FSM will focus on the 'requirements and specifications' for an:
"...open, inter-operable IT framework designed to be used by a wide number of applications. More choice and information for passengers and additional business opportunities for both rail operators and ticket vendors will be the main outcomes."
It is unclear how this latest European rail initiative fits in with All Ways Travel (see update above), a EC appointed a consortium, led by Amadeus, to develop a model for a multi-modal Pan-European rail ticketing system, announced in July.
Next year, the All Ways Travel consortium plans to start building a 'proof of concept' booking tool based on the recommendations of a multi-modality study currently being carried out by Zeppelin University in Friedrichschafen, Germany.
In February Amadeus released a study on the growth of European rail between now and 2020 and highlighted some of the issues such as the need for cooperation and the importance of integration.
Attempts to create a pan-European rail booking system have led to nothing so far with various initiatives abandoned because they were too complex and expensive.
However, even with this latest FSM initiative there are no details on how it will be cheaper or how it will work.
NB: High-speed rail image via Shutterstock.