CrossCountry First to Launch Mobile Ticketing App With Real Time Information

CrossCountry First to Launch Mobile Ticketing App With Real Time Information

BIRMINGHAM, England, September 27, 2011/PRNewswire/ --

    CrossCountry trains [http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk ] has launched
a mobile app that not only provides real time travel information across ALL
rail networks - you can download your ticket to it too. It will be the first
app to deliver live departure times and mobile ticketing in one go.

    Available by texting 'Travel' to 87080, the Train Tickets app
[http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Get_mobile/Our_Train_Tickets_app ]
allows customers to plan journeys, buy tickets for any journey in Britain as
well as receive m-tickets for certain routes. The app also provides access
to live departure boards, making it possible to keep up with the latest
information whilst planning or during your journey.

    The addition of m-tickets, supported on certain routes, is in the form
of 2D barcodes and readable tickets. Users simply activate m-tickets before
boarding a train, inspectors can then verify using a barcode scanner or by
confirming the animated colour sequence on their ticket machines.

    Where m-tickets are not available, customers can collect their tickets
using a booking reference number at most UK rail stations. The application
also has the option to link in-application purchases to the user's web
account, giving them a single convenient place to view all their ticket
purchases, or print out purchase records for expense claims. Unlike some
online train ticket retailers, CrossCountry does not charge booking or
credit card fees on tickets bought on its website or via the new Train
Tickets app.

    This application allows consumers to completely bypass ticket machines,
making their journeys as effortless and enjoyable as possible, from buying
the ticket to boarding the train.

    All transactions are secured using US government certified, EncryptME
security system. More journey planning and real time travel information
features are planned for release later this year, as well as tapping into
the geo-location capabilities of some handsets.

    The 'Train Tickets' app supports iPhone, Blackberry, Android and Nokia
smartphones as well as most everyday handsets. Developed by technology
specialists Masabi, it can be downloaded from major app stores or by texting
'Travel' to 87080.

    Notes to editors:

   
      i) CrossCountry started operating on 11 November 2007. The
      franchise, which is the most extensive in the UK, will run until 31
      March 2016. For further information on CrossCountry services and future
      franchise plans log on to http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk
      ii) CrossCountry is now live on Facebook
      http://www.facebook/crosscountrytrains

    Arriva is one of the largest private sector providers of passenger
transport in Europe, employing more than 43,500 people (including share of
associate companies) and providing more than one billion passenger journeys
every year.

    Arriva provides transport services including buses, trains, commuter
coaches and water buses, and operates in 12 European countries: Czech
Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.

    CrossCountry facts and figures:

    STATIONS SERVED: 118

    ROUTE MILES: 1,478

    WEEKDAY SERVICES: 295

   
    For more information contact:
    Victoria Rose or Abi Whitfield
    T: +44(0)1625-822601 / +44(0)1625-822438
    E:  Victoria.rose@mccann.com  abi.whitfield@mccann.com

Source: CrossCountry Trains

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