The MERITS Time Table Expert Group (TTEG) meeting was held from 18 – 19 October 2018 in Frankfurt at the kind invitation of DB Vertrieb.
The TTEG is the community of Railway Undertakings that publishes consolidated timetables, services and station data (MERITS data) to be used by railway undertakings in information systems to support journey planners and booking activities.

22 participants representing 12 railway companies were present.
UIC was represented by Marc Guigon, Director of the UIC passenger Department, Fabrice Setta, Senior Advisor Passenger Transport, Kardelen Karatas, Junior Advisor within the Passenger Department and Joachim Baars, Timetable Expert.
Mr Robert Jurisch presented the overview of DB sales and timetables.

Angelina Rotolo-Piazza (DB Vertrieb, as data manager) reported on the MERITS data management activity and proposed improvements to enhance MERITS data quality.
Olivier Roy described a user case for the use of the reservation system code within the MERITS data exchanges.

Fabrice Setta presented the MERITS Steering Board activity and outcomes for the opening of MERITS data to third parties focusing on the principles, legal framework and price policy.

During the second part of the meeting, Frank Martini (HaCon) reminded the meeting of the main modifications concerning the next version of MERITS tool.
Joachim Baars (UIC) presented some issues concerning the quality of data.
Marc Guigon presented general information concerning the UIC Passenger Department.

The next meeting will be held from 8 and 9 March 2019 in Luxembourg at the kind invitation of CFL.