FEATURE RAIL TRAVEL
“Companies are focusing on advance booking rather than class of travel, and first class tickets and executive packages are in decline”
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often contracted to routes over many years, dictate costs. The London to Manchester route is a good example, whereby the price is dictated by Virgin. “We always use first class for journeys
over around 45 minutes due to our business's nature. Journey time does make a difference and with the 3–3.5 hour total flying time between Glasgow or Edinburgh and London, a lot of my travellers choose rail,” says Macey. Ian Windsor, managing director, Europe
of HRG, says: “There has been some shift to rail travel on the Anglo-Scottish routes. First class can be attractive if it is packaged well, and Standard Premier in the first class carriage in Eurostar seems to be popular.” Andrew Dalton, senior programme manager of Carlson Wagonlit Travel, agrees that customers will make longer journeys by train if they can work. “Our Travel Stress Index study revealed that two of the top five causes of stress for business travellers were poor or no internet connection, and delays – both factors which the UK rail industry is addressing. However, we have seen a drop in first class rail bookings, suggesting that the standard offering generally provides all the basics.” Marisa Gott, account manager of FCm
Travel Solutions, says more competition would only work if there were plenty of trains, and not if some tickets were only valid on one train operator. “Although
productivity is important we find that price is the most important factor,” she adds. “Companies are focusing on advance booking rather than class of travel, and first class tickets and executive packages are in decline.” Adam Knights, UK managing director
for the ATPI Group, adds: “Business travellers recognise the benefits of rail travel over short-haul air. However, with airlines often offering cheaper rates, rail travel remains the less appealing option.”
Mobile ticketing The clamour for mobile ticketing is growing as businesses get used to this option for air travel and hotel check-in. Train operators need to invest in barcode scanning technology at station ticket gates and on-train equipment carried by train managers, but a commitment to mobile and smart card technology (such as the London Oyster Card) is being built into new franchise specifications. In the interim, barcodes can also be
used on plain paper ticketing, but mainly for advance tickets for use on particular trains. But these technological issues are being addressed. Evolvi is celebrating ten years of market leadership in providing rail booking through TMCs, supplying 180 TMCs, 22,000 client organisations and over one million registered users. It is now trialling mobile ticketing with a few train operators, and has won a tender ➔
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL MAGAZINE 47
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