August 29, 2013 – Spain’s largest rail operator, Renfe, has partnered with SilverRail Technologies, the developer of the first global distribution platform specialising in passenger rail, to sell tickets for its entire network to customers all over the world. Renfe tickets have been incorporated into SilverRail’s global multi-country ticketing platform, SilverCore, which integrates all operators and countries into one system that can be easily accessed by online travel agents (OTAs), travel management companies and traditional travel agents. Renfe tickets will initially be available through leading European online booking tools i:FAO’s cytric and KDS, and will soon be offered through other corporate and leisure distributors.
With EU countries expected to invest an estimated $500 billion in the rail sector over the next 10 years*, it is clear that rail travel will become more attractive to consumers. Renfe’s customer base is continuing to grow as is the number of routes it operates. For example, the route between Alicante and Madrid saw an increase in customer numbers of 38,000 in just one year, taking it to over 745,000 passengers in 2012. This popular route is now being operated by an AVE high-speed train in two-hours and thirty-minutes.
“Rail travel is currently seeing a renaissance and on some European routes customers are choosing to take a train rather than fly,” said Jesus De Juan Menchero, Head of Commercial and Distribution for Renfe. “Our partnership with SilverRail is going to enable us to keep up with high demand and make the booking process as easy as possible for our passengers, particularly our international customers.”
Alain van West, Vice President Business Development at SilverRail, describes Renfe as a key addition to the SilverRail network. “We are committed to making purchasing rail travel as simple as possible. This partnership with Renfe is a large step towards achieving our goal of making rail just as easy to book as flights. This partnership moves us closer to our vision of creating a global distribution network for rail travel,” he said.
SilverRail has already signed on rail companies in countries including the UK, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, the US and Canada, with more additions before the end of this year.
*PhoCusWright, European Online Travel Overview Eighth Edition, December 2012
