New m-ticket and mobile site keeps CrossCountry ahead

CrossCountry is offering its customers a new and easy way to buy CrossCountry Advance Purchase tickets.

The train operator, which is part of the Arriva group, has launched a pioneering trial which enables its customers to book online and have their ticket sent directly to their mobile phone.

The ‘m-ticket’ is a convenient and cost effective way to purchase CrossCountry journeys between York and Edinburgh, including intermediate journeys. It is also more eco-friendly as it removes the need to print a ticket and a potential advance trip to the station to collect it.

Buying an m-ticket is quick and simple. Visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk to book a train ticket as normal, sign up via the ‘m-ticket’ icon and the train ticket, which will include a security barcode, journey details and the customer name, will be sent immediately to your mobile phone as an MMS message.

CrossCountry is also offering its customers a special version of its website for mobile browsing, making it simpler for passengers to get the information they need whilst using a mobile phone, PDA, BlackBerry® smartphone or Apple iPhone.

The mobile site, m.crosscountrytrains.co.uk, includes live travel updates, ticket booking, a timetable download application and latest news, all in short, simple formats making it easy to read and browse whilst travelling.

David Watkin, CrossCountry’s commercial director said; “Our new m-ticket trial is yet another step forward for CrossCountry as it helps simplify the ticket buying process.

“Early customer feedback has been positive and comments from our customers have been vital to help us improve the service. People now expect to do so much more whilst on the move and we want to meet that expectation. We hope the trial will prove successful to enable us to roll out our m-ticket product across all CrossCountry services.”

David added: “Accessing up-to-date travel information on the move is vital in today’s fast-moving world so launching our mobile website which is suitable for mobile browsing makes CrossCountry more accessible, open and welcoming. This is another customer benefit that will evolve throughout 2009 and help guarantee that CrossCountry continues to put the customer first.”

CrossCountry’s m-ticket trial will continue until further notice and customers must produce a payment card as proof of ID and validation of ticket.

To receive an SMS with a link to the CrossCountry website text "XC WAP" to 82088.Back to 2009 press releases