Helping Grand Central prepare for the domestic tourism boom

As lockdown lifts, Grand Central, a long-distance rail operator, which links London Kings Cross with Yorkshire and the North East, has launched a key initiative, supported by SilverRail’s technology, that will help it prepare for the predicted boom in domestic tourism.

In a first for UK rail, Grand Central is now offering their passengers the ability to book tickets up to six months in advance.

Following a survey with its customers, Grand Central identified that extending the booking horizon was a high priority for passengers as it gave them added flexibility in their journey planning. We’re therefore delighted to have helped them launch such critical functionality in a short space of time.

As Louise Blyth, Commercial and Customer Policy Director comments ‘“While our trains were in hibernation we used that time to engage with our passengers and communities and this is one of the things they told us they wanted – the flexibility to plan and book their journeys well ahead and benefit from our great value discounted fares. That opportunity is now available through the Grand Central website and telesales service.

“As the country gradually comes out of lockdown over the coming months it feels really good that we’re the only train operator currently providing the means for people to make their plans to meet up with friends and loved ones right through the summer and into the autumn.

SilverRail is also delivering other features that help rail carriers improve the passenger experience, such as seat selectors with social distancing enabled; load capacity indicators to ease traveller anxiety; and a Timetable Advisory Service that helps keep customers up to date with service information from the moment they book to the point of travel.

For more information on our work with Grand Central, click here.