The Office of Rail Transport is the focal point for all EU-related railway regulation and safety issues. The Office of Rail Transport deals with both the technical side of the railway system's operation - i.e. safety and interoperability issues – as well as all market regulation issues and passenger rights. The visit of the Georgian delegation was an opportunity to show how such an institution functions in practice, what issues it deals with and what are the challenges.
One of the pillars of the European Union's railway system development is the implementation of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). Using the technical possibilities offered by the simulators at the Examination and Monitoring Centre for Train Drivers, the Georgian experts could learn how the system works in practice - from the driver's perspective.
The study visit of the Georgian experts is part of the European Union-funded twinning project “Supporting the approximation of the Georgian legal and institutional framework to the EU rail transport acquis”. The project, which is being implemented by a number of Polish institutions and railway companies under the supervision of the Ministry of Infrastructure, involves specialists from the Ministry of Funds and Regional Policy, the Office of Rail Transport, the Centre for EU Transport Projects, the Railway Institute and PKP SA and PKP PLK SA. The aim of the project is to support Georgia in adapting its railway legislation, institutions and market organisation to the EU requirements.