Sabre Travel Network is developing a new platform that will speed up and simplify the rail booking procedure worldwide.
The new system will enable rail companies and travel agents to access the platform regardless of the technology they use and their ways of doing business.
”Rail operators around the world have individual technology platforms, connectivity requirements and booking protocols that each require a dedicated separate connection and specific agency training,” said Sabre Travel Network senior vice president, Martin Cowley.
”This ultimately makes it difficult for travel agencies to promote and sell rail alongside air and car which all have one 'universal booking platform'."
The idea behind the system is to contribute to a more consistent interface for travel booking, bridging the gaps and nuances between different technology users and different countries. Travel agents will be able to make rail bookings in the same way as they do for air, hotel and car bookings.
”Sabre Rail Platform will provide what is essentially a single global marketplace for all rail suppliers, travel agencies and travellers to come together to buy and sell rail products using a single universal currency or language,” said Cowley. ”It”s like a universal plug adaptor for rail operators worldwide.”
UK Travel agents have been using the Sabre GDS (Global Distribution System) since October 2006, to make national rail bookings, using Harry Weeks Travel”s Evolvi product.
Sabre's current developments will allow them to integrate this product into the Sabre Rail Platform, which will be available to UK travel agencies by the end of 2007. Plans are underway to incorporate Deutsche Bahn and SNCF next year, followed by rail operators in Belgium, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and North America.