RAIL


FARE SIMPLIFICATION Rail booking service Evolvi says it would like the Williams Review to simplify fares, but despite the complexity of the existing system and the annual increases in regulated fares, it is continuing to save customers money. Andrew Cantrell, Evolvi’s IT director, says: “Much of the debate will inevitably be influenced by the Rail Delivery Group consultation on fares regulation and reform, which has yet to publish its findings. Simplifying the fares infrastructure is fundamental to delivering on any value for money promise. “In this environment, more corporate travel


WE NEED TO CREATE TRUE


COMPETITION ON THE SAME ROUTE AND HAVE MORE HIGH-SPEED LINES


NEW FARE MODEL


HEATHROW EXPRESS is moving to dynamic pricing as it aims to help the airport achieve its target of half of all airport passengers using public transport by 2030, up from the current total of 42 per cent. Times are changing for the airport-


owned operator. It will introduce a fleet of new trains later this year to replace its 20-year-old stock. Operations have been outsourced to Great Western Railway, whose dedicated trains will be reconfigured to include business class. Head of commercial Chris


Crauford says: “We will retain our own staff in the airport terminals, and outsourcing operations means we can really concentrate on customer service. “As part of the airport’s expansion


plans, we need to demonstrate we can deliver passenger growth from the 6.4 million carried last year. Our new website, app and API links mean that dynamic pricing will be


110 MARCH/APRIL 2019


introduced in the second half of the year, so when the airport is quieter, fares will be lower. We will never put fares up from where they are today.” Heathrow Express will face a


powerful new competitor when Crossrail, now dubbed the Elizabeth Line by Transport for London, finally starts operating. The delayed launch of services direct from Heathrow to the West End and Canary Wharf is not expected before 2020. “It is fantastic that Crossrail is


coming to the airport, but a risk for us,” says Crauford. “The fastest route to Central London will still be Heathrow Express, with the Piccadilly Line being the most affordable and the new Elizabeth Line somewhere in between.” Heathrow Express was named top


operator for overall satisfaction in the autumn 2018 National Rail Passenger Survey at 96 per cent, but as a stand- alone service it doesn’t face the same challenges as most operators.


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specialists are turning to online platforms such as EvolviNG and the EvolviWS API, and are succeeding in optimising budgets as a result. Evolvi customers paid an average ticket value that was lower in 2018 than in 2017 – £56.32 compared to £56.83 – despite a 3.4 per cent increase in fares. Transaction volumes were up from 8.6 million in 2017 to 9.4 million in 2018.” Concerns about cost are being amplified by abolishing the fixed charge for a Ticket on Departure (TOD) picked up from a station ticket machine, in favour of a charge based on the ticket value, with a surcharge on tickets picked up from manned ticket offices. This will save costs for third-party retailers, but could cost businesses more if savings are not passed on.


The Rail Delivery Group, which brings together train


operators and Network Rail, says: “Third-party retailers play an important role. At their request, and following


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