UTRECHT/BRUSSELS – Hit Rail B.V., one of Europe’s leading organisations spearheading the drive towards interoperability within the railway and travel industry, has joined the FSM Sounding Board, the body where important stakeholders are kept informed on the progress of the Full Service Model (FSM).
The FSM is a joint travel industry initiative aiming to define the specifications for standard interfaces, using cutting-edge technologies, to enhance rail booking opportunities. The FSM initiative is being developed by experts from European Railway Undertakings and from Ticket Vendors grouped in the representative bodies ETTSA (European Technology and Travel Services Association) and ECTAA (European Travel Agents’ and Tours Operators’ Associations).
Hit Rail, having signed a strategic partnership with ETTSA, has now been invited by the FSM Steering Committee to join the FSM Sounding Board, which meets quarterly approximately and currently consists of IATA (International Air Transport Association), CIT (International Rail Transport Committee), the European Passenger Federation, the European Commission and the European Railway Agency.
As part of the FSM Sounding Board, Hit Rail will contribute its expertise in innovation and technology, particularly around interoperability. The company operates the HEROS message interoperability service through its Hermes Virtual Private Network (VPN), a platform that allows rail reservation systems to interconnect and interoperate despite using different standards.
Christoph Klenner, Secretary General of ETTSA, said: “We are delighted to welcome Hit Rail to the FSM Sounding Board and look forward to the expertise they can contribute in terms of interoperability and innovation.”
Antonio Lopez, Managing Director of Hit Rail, added: “The Full Service Model is an important initiative for the travel industry in providing enhanced passenger information and services, including travel reservations. We are pleased to be able to contribute to the information exchange and debate, and also to provide advice and expertise from our practical implementation of interoperability solutions in the rail industry.”
