Feature: Rail Travel ➔
THE NEW ENTRANTS Evolvi and
thetrainline.com dominate the business market and provide a rich stream of MI, but they now face increasing competition from new online retailers. Fares on all systems are the same, and SMEs are a particular target for the newcomers. “There will always be new entrants, but the speed of innovation will be critical in the next few months and they may not be able to adapt accordingly,” says Watts. One new online retailer focusing on business
is Redspottedhanky, launched in June last year. Imperial College London is one of its first corporate customers and it offers plenty of MI, plus a loyalty points discount scheme accruing £1 for every £100 spent. It has also ditched its credit card fee, giving it an edge over its consumer-facing competitors. Director James Bain says, “We believe the loyalty scheme is unique in the UK rail industry, and it can be used as a tool to drive policy compliance by giving points to the individual for their own use. We also believe we offer lower booking fees than the big players, but can match what they are doing. A mobile app is coming and we will add hotels, car rental and flights to the website too.” Another new retailer, Quno,
“There will always be new entrants, but the speed of innovation will be critical in the next few months and they may not be able to adapt accordingly”
does not operate business accounts but targets the individual user. It was launched in October and is part of SilverRail Technologies, a global group focusing on rail. The aim is to cover rail travel globally, with an easy-to-use search and booking engine. Managing director Jeremy Acklam says:
“We are addressing the unmanaged business market, and a unique point is that you can cancel tickets and get an immediate refund online. We will soon be adding Amtrak in the US and European rail operators to simplify the whole world of rail ticketing.” Midlands-based-TMC Click Travel, meanwhile,
is promising a shake-up of the corporate rail ticketing market with the launch of a brand
Table showing savings made by booking in advance (Evolvi data)
London King's Cross London King's Cross
London Euston London Euston
London St Pancras London St Pancras London Paddington London Paddington London Liverpool St London Liverpool St
To
York York
Manchester Manchester Sheffield Sheffield Cardiff Cardiff
Norwich Norwich
Class of travel
First
Standard First
Standard First
Standard First
Standard First
Standard
new rail platform, set to take on
thetrainline.com and Evolvi.
It claims the new tool, launched at the Business Travel & Meetings Show in February (see page 40), is the only one with pre-trip authorisation. “In rail we saw an opportunity where our innovation could rip up a whole layer of cost out of the rail ticketing process, while simultaneously improving the end user experience,“ says Click Travel founder and managing director Simon McLean. Rail Easy, one of the first online retailers to target the leisure market, has now launched a business application and is promising full MI. With Mytrainticket also targeting online bookings, SMEs have plenty of options. Buying tickets at the station should be a last resort.
Date of travel
Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan
Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan Thurs 20th Jan
Time out
07.00 07.00
06.55 06.55 06.37 06.37 07.15 07.15 07.00 07.00
Time back
15.54 15.54
15.55 15.55 16.27 16.27 15.55 15.55 16.00 16.00
THE TRAIN OPERATING COMPANIES The latest survey by rail watchdog Passenger Focus indicates continuing high satisfaction with the quality of train services, but – inevitably – concern about the rising cost of fares. The poll of over 30,000 passengers across the country last autumn found a record 84 per cent were satisfied with their journeys, but only 49 per cent of respondents were happy with value for money. Huge amounts have been ploughed into rail infrastructure to speed up journey times, with many operators renewing their fleets over the last decade. Business users now benefit from wifi internet access on some routes and first class lounges at stations, but operators with plenty of first class seats on fixed formation trains are feeling the pinch.
Cost booked on the day of travel
£336.00 £207.10
£399.00 £174.50 £243.00 £160.00 £299.00 £131.50 £149.00 £93.10
Cost when booked on 6th Jan
£108.00 £65.00
£185.50 £133.00 £108.00 £58.00
£165.50 £88.00 £30.00 £22.00
Saving by booking in advance
£228.00 £142.10
£213.50 £41.50
£135.00 £102.00 £133.50 £43.50
£119.00 £71.10
% Saved by booking in advance
67.86% 68.61%
53.51% 23.78% 55.56% 63.75% 44.65% 33.08% 79.87% 76.37%
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