eu travel tech submits views on standards for rail ticketing data sharing

The ongoing revision on the EU Regulation on Technical Specifications for Interoperability in Telematics Applications for Passengers (TAP TSI) is a highly complex, but one with outsized influence on how passengers can search for and book rail tickets in Europe. The Regulation notably specifies which technical standards are to be used when railways share crucial ticketing data with ticket vendors such as online booking platforms. 

The European Commission is currently discussing a new version of this Regulation with Member States. In parallel, the rail sector has been working on its own technical solutions, the Open Sales and Distribution Model, for years. eu travel tech is now concerned that the draft TAP TSI Regulation and Annex proposed by the European Commission are not well-aligned with the current realities of the rail ticket distribution market. A more flexible approach is needed, keeping in mind that separate rules on how to ensure commercial fairness and open ticket distribution are urgently needed.

Read our full views below.