In the framework of the cross-border cooperation initiatives named Quality Circle Operation (QCO) and aimed at the joint identification of technical/operational measures to reduce transit times at the border, the Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor organised an initial coordination meeting in Modane attended by the Italian infrastructure manager RFI, the French infrastructure manager SNCF-R and the Railway Undertakings operating along the Corridor.

The purpose of the meeting, which was strongly supported by RFI, was to provide Railway Undertakings with structured and harmonised information on Technical Capacity Restrictions (TCRs) impacting all Italy-France traffic along the Turin-Lyon route and to provide evidence of the Infrastructure Managers’ efforts in terms of bilateral harmonisation of such disruptions.

During the meeting, the two Infrastructure Managers presented details of the TCRs’ Plan for 2023 and 2024, giving evidence of the time consistency and the coordination achieved for the main TCRs. In addition, further details were provided on the tools available to all Railway undertakings on how to find information on such interruptions.

Whilst urging further effort towards harmonisation and expressing some reservations in relation to specific cases, the Railway Undertakings recognised the efforts made by the Infrastructure managers towards alignment (at least for the most significant interruptions) and appreciated the dissemination initiative adopted by the Mediterranean Rail Freight Corridor.