Amadeus
, a leading global distribution system
(GDS) and travel industry technology provider, has announced the availability of ATB2 (Automatic Ticket and Boarding Pass) rail ticketing
in the UK market.

The new rail ticketing functionality enables travel agents to make reservations and issue tickets, for Eurostar UK products and UK domestic rail services, through the Amadeus System. Rail tickets are printed on
the most modern, industry-standard combined air / rail printer. This streamlining of processes allows travel agencies to significantly
improve the service offered to rail passengers.

The new service gives travel agencies access to Eurostar UK«s ELGAR inventory system via a `bypass connection”. These gives them direct, real-time availability and sell access to the rail inventories of
Eurostar UK
and UK Domestic Rail.

This simple but effective connectivity option automates and expands the rail operators` distribution reach.  Bookings via Elgar connections
alone now account for over 75 per cent of all rail revenue through the travel trade in the UK.

“With the increasing popularity of rail travel, especially among
business
travellers, the integration of ticketing in the reservation process is
key to facilitating higher sales volumes by travel agents” commented Steve
Fosh, Distribution and Standards Manager with ATOC. “The combination of
this with shorter transaction times all-round means we can now look
forward to channelling more sales through travel agencies using
Amadeus”.

Eurostar Executive Director, Sales & Distribution, Adrian Watts emphasised “this implementation of ATB2 Rail ticketing via a shared air/rail
printer, for ELGAR users, is an important component in helping Eurostar to fulfil our overall rail distribution strategy. This will extend Eurostar`s
reach to the fast growing community of Amadeus agencies in the UK.”

“This is a new beginning for Amadeus Rail in the UK,” said Mark Lewsey
, marketing director Amadeus UK.  “By expanding our potential and offering reservations, and now ticketing on the UK domestic rail network and one
of Europe`s premium train services, Amadeus is proving itself to be a truly
global leader in rail distribution”.

Amadeus provides efficient and reliable distribution and IT solutions to the rail industry to allow them to expand their reach, increase their revenues and reduce their operational and distribution costs. However,
as well as issuing rail tickets (on the most popular and comprehensive domestic and international rail services) travel agents can also offer
the entire range of Amadeus products in the same format, instantly, and
using the same type of tickets and printers.

Related stories on ITN:

(12/02/2001) Amadeus makes rail booking easier through CRS

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