MERITS [fn]MERITS (Multiple East-West Railways Integrated Timetable data Storage) is a UIC activity using a system (tool, database) designed to exchange timetable data. The data received are quality checked, integrated into the existing data and stored into a database. The integration process allows an exact reconstitution of cross border trains timetables through the integration of national itineraries, except for those international services managed in their entirety by a single RU. These data are used by railway undertakings or third parties in their information systems to support journey planners and booking activities.[/fn] (Multiple East-West Railways Integrated Timetable Storage) is a database, owned by UIC, containing the integrated timetable [fn]Timetable: List of commercial transport services offered by a railway undertaking during a given time interval.[/fn] data of many European countries, comprising a few hundred railway undertakings [fn]Railway undertaking (RU): Any public or private undertaking the principal business of which is to provide services for the transport of goods and/or passengers by rail, with a requirement that the undertaking must ensure traction; this also includes undertakings which provide traction only.[/fn] (RUs), which are published four times a week.
MERITS today is not an application for the general public, but a tool designed for railway companies, which decide themselves on how their information and distribution channels are supplied based on their own commercial policy. Today, EDIFACT is the single format used for importing and exporting the data (SKDUPD[fn]SKDUPD: MERITS file containing timetable data in EDIFACT format, UNECE standard (https://service.unece.org/trade/untdid/d04b/timd/skdupd_c.htm).[/fn] and TSDUPD[fn]TSDUPD: MERITS file containing location data in EDIFACT format, UNECE standard (https://service.unece.org/trade/untdid/d04b/timd/tsdupd_c.htm).[/fn] messages).
The MERITS timetable data consist of:
Timetable period represented in MERITS:
NB: real-time information is not part of the MERITS database.
All MERITS data are in the EDIFACT UN standard format.
There are two types of files used in MERITS:
How to purchase MERITS products
Considering that Raw Timetable are sent to MERITS by the relevant carriers through a separate agreement, UIC shall do its best efforts to deliver complete and qualitative data, and shall cooperate in restoring the required quality of its Product(s). The UIC makes no warranties concerning any data published via within the Product(s) or any MERITS data/database/ecosystem/tool, which are provided “as is.” The UIC disclaims all warranties, express or implied including, without limitation, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The UIC does not warrant the accuracy, currency, appropriateness, applicability or completeness of the Product(s) or any MERITS data/database/ecosystem/tool, nor of any particular guideline, template, or continuing program, or make any representation regarding the use or the results of the use of the Product(s) or any MERITS data/database/ecosystem/tool for whichever use, treatment or purpose. Although UIC monitors MERITS, it cannot prevent all incidents and consequently does not provide a guarantee as to the availability of its data. The same applies in the event of maintenance: planned service interventions and service changes (particularly in the format, content or distribution method) will however always be communicated to the Data User beforehand.
UIC shall be liable for any damages of any kind including direct, incidental, indirect, special or consequential damages arising out of or in connection with the license granted under the Agreement or use of the Product(s) or any MERITS data/database/ecosystem/tool including, without limitation, loss of life, physical injury , property damage, loss of data, loss of income or profit, or any other damages, losses or claims, if its liability may be proven.
In no event UIC’s liability to a Data User or to any Third party [fn]Third party: Public or private undertaking, which is not a railway undertaking or infrastructure manager and provides services ancillary to, or in connection with, the services/transport services. Public Authorities can be Third Parties.[/fn] claiming through a Data User or on behalf of a Data User shall exceed the purchase price of the Product by the Data User for the concerned period. The Data User agrees and acknowledges that this exclusion and limitation of liability are reasonable in the circumstances and that the price of the Products would have been increased if such exclusions and limitations were not enforceable.
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View MERITS product user general terms and conditions
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View MERITS data provider agreement
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View MERITS data supplier frequencyThe data supplier frequency is provided for information, this may change therefore this information is non contractua...
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