Eurostar and UK rail ticketing systems linked by Fujitsu Services

Fujitsu Services (a leading European provider of IT services and solutions) and Eurostar, the high-speed international rail operator, announced last week that Fujitsu has connected Eurostar’s online ticket system with seven UK train operators’ systems. Fujitsu’s work means that travellers from 68 towns and cities across the UK can now book through-fares to Continental Europe on eurostar.com.

Previously travellers had to book domestic and international rail travel separately. Now, travellers from such cities as Leicester, Cambridge, York and Birmingham can just go to eurostar.com and book one fare valid for the entire journey to Paris, Disneyland Resort Paris, Lille, Brussels (and any station in Belgium), and 75 other connecting destinations in France – making the whole travelling experience easier and more seamless.

Fujitsu has linked Eurostar’s online ticketing system with those of Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, Hull Trains, London Midland, National Express East Coast and Virgin Trains. In mid-to-late 2008, in the second phase of project, more UK towns and cities with mainline stations into London will have through-fares to the Continent and Fujitsu will link eurostar.com to other UK train operators’ online ticketing systems.

Jamel Chandoul, head of distribution and commercial systems, Eurostar said: “This is one of a number of key customer service initiatives designed to make the whole travelling experience for passengers as easy as possible. With this new ticketing system many travellers can now book their entire journey from their local mainline station to Continental Europe through one joined-up service – making their Eurostar experience even better.”

Steve Andre, managing director private sector, Fujitsu Services said: “This is a significant contract for Fujitsu and will make a fundamental difference to the way in which Eurostar is able to operate. To help Eurostar improve its customer service in such a fundamental way is exactly the sort of business outcome that Fujitsu aims for with all its customers. Eurostar customers will ultimately get an enhanced service to influence them to come back and use Eurostar again.”

Press Contacts
Graham Goulden
Fujitsu Services
Tel: + 44 (0) 870 234 9568
E-mail:graham.goulden@uk.fujitsu.com

Alistair Kent
Harvard PR
Tel: + 44 (0) 20 8564 6322
E-mail:teamfujitsu@harvar.co.uk

About Fujitsu Services
Fujitsu Services is a leading European IT services company. Its business is helping its customers realise the value of information technology through the application of consulting, systems integration and managed service contracts. It serves customers in the private and public sectors across Europe including retail, financial services, healthcare and Government. With an annual turnover of £2.46 billion (€3.59 billion), it employs over 19,000 people across 20 countries. Headquartered in London, Fujitsu Services is the European IT services arm of the US$43.2 billion (€32.5 billion) Fujitsu Group.

For more information, visit www.fujitsu.com/uk

About Eurostar

1. Eurostar is the high-speed international train operator linking the UK and the Continent from St Pancras International via High Speed 1.
2. Eurostar operates services to mainland Europe from St Pancras International station, which is connected with seven UK train operators serving St Pancras itself, next door King’s Cross and nearby Euston. These operators include:
• St Pancras: East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect
• King’s Cross: National Express East Coast, Hull Trains
• Euston: Virgin Trains, London Midland, First Scottish Rail
London Underground lines include: Northern, Victoria, Piccadilly, Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City and Circle.
3. Eurostar journey times on High Speed 1, the UK’s first high-speed line, are: London – Paris 2h 15min; London – Disneyland Resort Paris 2h 35min; London – Brussels 1h 51min; and London – Lille 1h 20min. Eurostar also serves Ebbsfleet International (a new station just off junction 2 of the M25 near Dartford crossing and Bluewater shopping centre in north Kent. Journey times to the Continent are 10 minutes shorter than from St Pancras), Ashford International, Calais, Avignon and the French Alps.
4. Independent research commissioned by Eurostar has shown that a Eurostar journey generates ten times less carbon dioxide than flying between London and Paris or Brussels. Eurostar has set a target of reducing its CO2 emissions by a further 25% per passenger journey by 2012.
5. Eurostar and Eurotunnel are entirely separate companies. Eurostar operates high-speed passenger trains and competes with airlines; Eurotunnel operates road vehicle shuttle services between Folkestone and Calais and competes with ferries. Eurotunnel also operates the Channel tunnel itself.
6. Eurostar is also a founder member of Railteam, a partnership between Europe’s leading high-speed train operators that is developing simpler ways to book and travel across the fast-expanding, European high-speed rail network.