On the 16th June 2006 the major European Trackwork Contractors converged on Montreux, Switzerland, for the semi-annual EFRTC General Assembly, hosted by the Swiss Member VSBTU.

As planned, the first session was dedicated to the study groups and the President Mr. Jeremy Candfield illustrated the progress of the project Innotrack approved in principle by the European Commission, and which includes our project Rimare – Railway infrastructure maintenance and renewal efficiency. Concerning harmonisation of procurement procedures, Mr. Jaap De Jong of VolkerRail described the first step taken by the EIM/EFRTC common working group. The Secretary General Mr. Rolando Naggar illustrated EFRTC’s participation in drafting European standards applicable to our activity and the progress of the standards that have been promoted by our Federation.

UNIFE participed in the meeting as EFRTC is an Associated Member. UNIFE’s General Manager Mr. Drewin Nieuwenhuis summarised their current activity and priorities for the years 2006/2010, which mainly concern:

- Promoting the Rail Transport Mode
- Achievement of Railway Interoperability and Standardisation
- Coordination and Cooperation between UNIFE & CER, EIM, UIC and UITP

With the support of the EFRTC Swiss Member VSBTU, the General Assembly had the participation of important guest speakers:

• Prof. Dr. Robert E. Rivier – Director of Ecole Politechnique Fédérale de Lausanne on Audit of RFF
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• Mr. Michael Schürch – Manager of SBB, relating on “Increasing capacity through efficient timetabling”
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• Mr. Richard Kummrow – CEO Montreux – Oberland – Bernois, presented the “Golden Pass Services of MOB”
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• Mr. Michel Joye – CEO of Lausanne Transport, presented “The New Metro Line M2”
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The next EFRTC General Assembly will be held on 1st December 2006 in Rome, Italy.