CrossCountry becomes UK's first train operator to offer e-tickets on all of its routes

CrossCountry has successfully launched its new, easy way forcustomers to buy and collect their CrossCountry Advance tickets viawww.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

CrossCountry’s quick and simple ‘e-ticket’enables customers to print their tickets at their own PC or laptop,cutting out additional trips to the station and the need toqueue.

E-tickets must be printed off and presented to station andonboard staff when required and will incorporate specific journeydetails including the customer’s name and other relevantsecurity features. Advanced tickets can be purchased online24-hours any day up to 1800 the day before departure, subject toavailability.

David Watkin, commercial director at CrossCountry said:“The new e-ticket facility is fantastic news for ourcustomers. Since it was launched 12 months ago, the CrossCountrywebsite has grown into a slick and sophisticated online bookingservice where people can buy tickets quickly, with minimum fuss.Making e-tickets available for all our routes is an important stepin our evolution of online ticket purchasing and our investment forthe future.

David added: “Our e-ticket aims to make the ticket buyingprocess simpler and avoid unnecessary trips to the station beforecustomers need to make their journey. This is especially importantduring this time of year as we approach the busy Christmas periodas customers can take the stress out of purchasing their ticket andavoid unnecessary queuing – and get the best possible ticketprice at the same time by booking in advance."

Mobile innovations…

Following the launch of the new e-ticketing service CrossCountrywill also be making its website ‘mobile-friendly’ whichfor the first time will see users of mobile phones and PDAs beingable to access CrossCountry information on the move. The mobilefacility will enable people to access live train times, timetables,station information and importantly, book their train tickets viatheir mobile phones.

Notes:

CrossCountry’s website is available viawww.crosscountrytrains.co.uk

CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group.