costs monitored and managed. It is essential for companies, particularly SMEs, to know how the travel budget is being spent,” says Merry. Michael Walker, head of commercial development at Heathrow Express, agrees. “Travel policy is rarely enforced or doesn’t usually provide adequate detail when it comes to ground transportation,” he says. “Cars give a level of confidence so you need a mind shift, otherwise there will be no paradigm shift in how transport is managed.” Wearing his Heathrow Express hat, Michael


“Travel policy is rarely enforced or doesn’t usually provide adequate detail when it comes to ground transportation”


corporate microscope as companies seek to rein in expenditure – a fact confirmed in Travel Management Priorities for 2012, published by Carlson Wagonlit Travel in January. Based on an international survey of 290 travel managers, the survey revealed that over 60 per cent of respondents placed driving down air and ground transportation costs as their top priority.


To achieve this objective, they say, they will


Walker says some 67 per cent of passengers arriving at Heathrow do not have a transport option arranged for onward travel. He believes one of the biggest opportunities for savings is in changing the behaviour of the traveller allowed to book a £70 taxi fare to Central London. For the record, the rail link costs from £18. All aspects of travel are now under the


GROUND FORCES: WHO DOES WHAT


The King’s Ferry Kent-based Kings Ferry offers vehicles ranging from 29-seaters to those equipped with all the trappings of executive luxury. For travel throughout the UK, the corporate market is catered to by its Coach Hire Connections service, which offers a complete travel management package tailored to individual needs. Top of the range for entertaining clients are the company’s new VIP coaches and Land Yachts, with features including flat screen TVs with PC compatibility, DVD and CD audio systems, tinted windows and a champagne bar. Tel: 01634 377577 See: www.thekingsferry.co.uk


City Circle With bases in London and Edinburgh, coach operator City Circle offers an integrated, countrywide transport service, moving corporate clients between locations for events such as conferences, AGMs and product launches. Blue chip customers include NatWest Bank and Vodafone. Following substantial investment, a number of new vehicles will join the fleet over the next few months. Coaches are configured with 25, 36 and 49 seats, have air-conditioning, leather reclining seats, WCs and facilities for hot and cold drinks. Tel: London 020 8561 2112; Edinburgh 0131 220 1066 See: www.citycircleuk.com


Signature Car Hire The company operates luxury prestige cars, working with many high-profile corporate clients to meet their specific requirements. Located within easy reach of all major London airports, its fleet of chauffeur-driven Mercedes Vianos is suited not only to airport transfers but also to a variety of business needs across the UK. The choice of cars is shown on the Signature website and the company will provide an online quotation. Each client is assigned a personal account manager. Tel: 0845 370 2222 See: www.signaturecarhire.co.uk


Limos.com The world’s largest online marketplace for private car services, Limos.com has formed a partnership with Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel group of Orbitz Worldwide. This will add more than 2,000 car and limo suppliers to the Orbitz portfolio of business travel providers. Clients can now search, compare and book services through the Orbitz interface, with integrated reporting and access to special discounts of up to 40 per cent off standard rates. Tel: +1 480 592 0880 See: www.limos.com / www.orbitzforbusiness.com


Avis Rent a Car Chauffeur Drive is among Avis’ numerous international services, available at 4,000 locations across 114 countries. It has a strong presence in the growing Chinese and Indian markets, where business visitors might find driving uncomfortable and intimidating. As part of the service, every customer is assigned a personal chauffeur, each fully qualified and subject to strict induction courses, for the entire duration of the rental period. A tailored product that aims to give clients maximum convenience and a luxurious alternative to standard car rental, Chauffeur Drive includes a meet and greet service on all airport arrivals. Tel: 0844 581 0147 See: www.avis.co.uk


GroundScope A leader in providing corporate clients with a global managed ground transportation system, UK-based GroundScope looks after their networks of business taxis, chauffeur-driven cars and MPVs. It does not own vehicles but uses its ground travel management technology and expertise to deliver end-to-end facilities. Its remit includes booking, payment, customer support, and the provision of management information, ensuring clients use the most cost-effective service and pay the best market rates available. Travel management


companies can access GroundScope’s services by phone directly into the global distribution systems, and it also has an online booking tool. Tel: 0845 680 4279 See: www.groundscope.co.uk


Heathrow Express Carrying an average of 16,000 passengers a day between London Paddington station and Heathrow Airport, the rail link is the fastest means of reaching the airport from Central London. The journey takes an average of 15 minutes, 30 minutes quicker than travelling by Underground and 40 minutes faster than a taxi. Onboard facilities include climate control, free wifi access, TVs showing up-to-date news, and generous luggage areas. First class passengers receive a complimentary copy of the Financial Times. One-way tickets booked online cost £18 in Express class and £26 in first class, or can be bought at the station, onboard or via the Heathrow Express iPhone application. The service is set to unveil a new corporate identity and operating systems ahead of this summer's Olympic Games. Tel: 0845 600 1515 See: www.heathrowexpress.com


Gatwick Express The non-stop rail link between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport carries five million passengers a year, and operates every 15 minutes, with a journey time of 30 minutes. Under an ongoing improvement programme, 442-type trains, with more spacious luggage racks and new seating in first class, are replacing the existing rolling stock, and there is an onboard refreshment trolley. The standard class fare is £33.20 return at ticket offices or machines, but £26.25 when purchased online. A first class ticket costs £53 return and includes bigger seats, complimentary beverages, and free access to the No.1 Traveller lounge at the airport. Tel: 0845 850 1530 See: www.gatwickexpress.com


use a wide range of measures. These include improving communications on travel policy and compliance, helping staff better understand online booking processes, and mandating the use of preferred suppliers, the latter particularly important as travellers use mobile applications more and more. Under pressure to save costs wherever they


may, it appears company travel buyers and arrangers are inviting the poor relation of ground transportation in from the cold.


CURING A TRANSPORT HEADACHE


LIKE many organisations, a leading global pharmaceutical company scrutinised its travel policy and realised its ground transportation solution was fragmented. Visibility of cost and data varied, the outlay on trips was claimed back on expenses via cash or corporate card, and VAT was not being reclaimed on cash bookings. In an effort to resolve the issue, the company’s


UK operation identified GroundScope as an automated booking platform for chauffeur-driven cars, taxis, MPVs and coaches. It also offered a management tool to consolidate and reduce service issues and customer queries. And the whole process could be deployed in other markets, helping to reduce operating costs across the board. With the Groundscope car booking system in


place, the client enjoyed visibility of spend, volume discounts and improved information, achieving savings of up to 30 per cent. Proof that the GroundScope solution was the cure


the client was seeking is that in the UK alone, the average ride price has been reduced from around £60 to £48. With 55,000 trips taken per year, this equates to a massive saving of £649,450 per year over a three-year period.


WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM I 35


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88