GNER has launched a new website that it says will make buying rail tickets easier for customers.
The train operator”s name is due to disappear on 9 December as National Express takes over ownership of the East Coast Main Line franchise, but the improvements remain.
Taking more than 18 months to develop, the new site will allow travellers to search for the best fare by either train time, fare group or through a new ”lowest fares finder” tool that highlights the cheapest rail fare combination for any day of travel.
GNER says it will also become the first train operator in the UK to launch its own booking engine and has developed its new website in tandem with IT services company, Atos Origin and user-design specialist, Flow Interactive.
A dedicated web support team based in GNER”s call centre in Newcastle will provide help and assistance for customers.
”Managing the website and booking engine in-house, ensures GNER is able to offer a greatly improved online retailing channel and communicate more effectively with passengers,” said GNER chief executive Jonathan Metcalfe.”
New features will include the ability to reserve preferred seating and bicycle spaces, as well as information on train services such as connections, catering and station stops.
And for the first time, users will be able to apply for refunds or make changes to their journey online at any time of the day, rather than through the web support call centre.
The GNER website URL will change on 9 December to nationalexpress.com as the new East Coast franchise starts.