A new report on making better use of rail in the business travel sector in Britain has called for the establishment of an ‘IATA for UK rail’, better data sharing in the industry and simplified fares.
The report –
Let’s go by train: Integrating rail into business travel – has been produced by American Express Global Business Travel (GBT) with rail stakeholders from the UK and Europe, including the UK’s Rail Delivery Group and key long-distance and international train operating companies (TOCs).
One of the report’s key recommendations is for the establishment of an ‘IATA for UK rail’, a single strategic body to oversee the industry’s development and to provide a centralised direction on planning and innovation across the entire rail system, including a clear strategy to drive the adoption of digital.
Rail pricing also needs be simplified, the report recommends. “Even before the pandemic, changing work patterns were making the traditional commuter season ticket look out of date. With remote working now mainstream, modern commuters need more flexible, less complex, pricing models. The government should accelerate the rate of fares reform to allow the TOCs to offer more flexible season ticket options,” the report says.
The report also calls for more open data sharing across the industry and for TMCs to have a voice on key industry bodies to represent the specific needs of the business traveller.
Better connectivity, in part from increased investment in infrastructure but also in terms of new services on the UK network from open-access operators, is also a key demand.
Jason Geall, GBT’s vice president & regional general manager, northern Europe, said: “Rail should be at the heart of business travel in the UK – it gets so much right, in terms of convenience, traveller experience and greener travel. GBT wants to work with our industry partners in the UK, and internationally, to address the gaps in the customer experience and make rail a truly compelling proposition for companies and their travellers. As business activity begins to pick up in 2021, rail can play a central role in the recovery.”
In 2019, GBT handled 1.4 million rail transactions in the UK and US$1.6 billion worth of transactions in Europe.