Hillgate Travel has signed a partnership with UK rail retailer, The Trainline, to integrate rail content into the travel management company”s (TMC) online self booking tool.
Trainline Connect (the application programming interface (API) of The Trainline), will replace rail content currently provided by the Elgar system, a solution that will be phased out across the UK by the end of the year.
Agents and corporate clients will have access to 293m rail and fare combinations, with improved functionality and access to the national Ticket On Departure network. Detailed management information will be available through the system, as well as a carbon emissions reporting service and the ability to implement rail travel policies.
”The Trainline API enables us to integrate full rail search and book facilities within our existing self booking product,” said Hillgate Travel IT director, Mark Bull. ”As a result we can offer a far more cost-effective model for our clients whilst providing the full range of fulfilment and distribution options which will become even more effective with the introduction of e-tickets across the network.”
Hillgate will begin using the integrated system at its head office in London from the beginning of April, with a view to rolling it out across its offices nationwide by the end of the year.