The Trainline has begun trials of the ‘next generation’ of ticketing, designed to help agents and frequent rail users.
The company’s head of account management, Claire Morrissey, said there would be two major developments this year with regards to ticketing.
“We are currently trialing centre own ticketing with Virgin Rail and CrossCountry, where people can print their own tickets on A4 laser printers, including advanced fares,” she said.
“We are also looking at trials of mobile, smart ticketing, where the ticket is sent straight to your mobile phone and simply scanned on board the train.
“This will also give us enhanced CSR reporting, as we know a passenger has boarded.”
Speaking at the Business Travel Show, Morrissey said in the three months after The Trainline rebranded and simplified its website last September, it has helped its customers save £32.5 million, by not having to buy tickets at the station.
She said there had also been a 31% increase uptake in advanced fares during the same tree months, compared to 2007.
“We are finding that in the credit crunch, we’ve actually seen an increase in spend but travellers are buying a lot better,” she said.
“We’ve seen the average ticket value come down by 13% in September, October and November.”
By Bev Fearis
