Thetrainline.com is to launch a mobile phone app to buy tickets, meaning travellers can make their bookings on the move.
The app, which is currently undergoing pilot testing, is free and can be downloaded on a variety of handsets including the Iphone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia. Ipod users can also download it.
Product development director Richard Rowson said: "We are confident this will bring about a step change on how people buy train tickets. We’ve not just replicated the website on the mobile, but completely tailored the proposition for the mobile traveller.
"Taking advantage of the personalised nature and location awareness of phones, it becomes possible to buy a train ticket by simply tapping in ‘next train home’.
"Soon we will also be enabling the ability on selected routes for the ticket to be delivered directly to the phone as a secure barcode, replacing the need for a ticket altogether."
The app will be available for download this month and those who alreday have thetrainline’s information app will be notified of the chance of a free upgrade.
by Dinah Hatch
