News
GoMedia and TransPennine Express Launch Real-Time Customer Information Service
(25 Feb 2019, BWCS Staff)UK-based infotainment platform supplier GoMedia is today launching what it says is the UK rail industry’s first real-time, on-board, customer information solution. The system has gone live on TransPennine Express (TPE) trains and uses live data to update customers on the status of their journeys.
TPE and GoMedia have developed Exstream, an on-board infotainment system which uses multiple data sources and GPS mapping to provide accurate arrival and departure times, platform numbers and onward travel options to TPE passengers.
The TPE franchise was awarded to First Group in 2016, when the transport group beat off competition from Stagecoach and a joint venture between Keolis and Go-Ahead. It operates regular express regional railway, and intercity services between the major cities of Northern England as well as routes into Scotland.
Discussing the new customer information service, Roger Matthews, managing director at GoMedia said, “By using multiple sources of accurate information in one customer-friendly solution, we are taking a major step towards providing a truly connected rail journey. Real-time data drives this concept, tying rail travel together with booking a taxi, car parking services and knowing which bus to catch home, delivering Mobility-as-a-Service in its most conventional form.”
Darren Higgins, Commercial Director at TransPennine Express, commented, “Exstream is already really popular with our customers and the introduction of enhanced, personalised journey information offers another valuable reason for customers to download and engage with it. We are constantly looking at new ways of improving the customer experience and are thrilled that those who use our services will be some of the first to benefit from this personalised information system.”
TPE’s personalised journey information service comes on the back of the Rail Delivery Group’s (RDG’s) £1 million investment in Darwin 4 Trains, an on-train customer information system that was developed as part of the rail industry’s commitment to put customers in control and improve their on-board experience. The development of innovative technology is part of RDG’s customer strategy to improve the way customers receive real-time information when they’re on the go.
GoMedia says it will be launching its passenger information solution to more First Group rail operating companies and its wider rail operator customer base throughout this year. Together with TransPennine Express, GoMedia will be discussing the launch of personalised passenger information systems at BWCS’ WiFi on Trains Conference – Train Communications Systems 2019 in June (www.Traincomms2019.com ).
FirstGroup has said that by 2020 it will invest over £500 million to boost capacity on trains in the TPE franchise area by 80% and increase the number of connections between cities by 55%. This will include new direct train links between Glasgow and Liverpool and between Manchester and Glasgow and Edinburgh.
On-board WiFi, trackside networks, the growing market for passenger WiFi services and on-board entertainment will be the main subjects of BWCS’s WiFi on Trains Conference 2019 on the 4th and 5th of June.
For more information on the conference please see www.Traincomms2019.com or contact Ross.Parsons@BWCS.com .
The 2019 conference (www.Traincomms2019.com ) is sponsored by Icomera, Nomad Digital, Fluidmesh, RADWIN and BAI Communications.
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