GNER unveils online ticketing

Rail operator GNER has launched a live pilot of an online ticketing system to help users get the cheapest fares.

The rail ticket booking engine will give customers more information and make the process of finding and buying the cheapest ticket easier, the operator said.

Those using the site will also get a 10 per cent discount off any advance purchase tickets bought through the site.

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GNER customers can currently buy train tickets from thetrainline.com but the rail operator has decided to offer its own online ticketing system to complement it.

Emma Passey, ecommerce manager for GNER, told silicon.com: "The primary reason is to get people from our offline sales offerings to online ticket buying."

The online ticket system - developed by GNER, IT services company Atos Origin and user design company Flow Interactive - will be officially launched in late November.

The offering also has the capability to support other initiatives such as print at home and mobile phone ticketing.

Tony Lacey, head of bus and rail at Atos Origin, told silicon.com the booking engine provides GNER with a "backbone" to develop its online presence further, with print at home and mobile ticket technology also being "important purchasing channels" for all rail operators.

GNER has been getting more high-tech lately with all its trains now offering passengers wi-fi broadband connectivity.