Eurostar links up with UK train operators

International train company Eurostar has linked its online ticket service with seven UK rail operators, making it easier for customers to book tickets for travel to Europe.

Using Fujitsu's interface technology, customers can now book through-tickets to the Continent on the Eurostar online booking engine via regional train operator websites.

Jamel Chandoul, head of distribution and commercial systems for Eurostar, told silicon.com: "The initiative was in relation to HS1 [High Speed 1] and the move of Eurostar to St Pancras International that offered better connectivity to the north of the UK. The objective was really for us to extend our reach to the UK regions."

He added: "What we want is really to have more travellers using the trains in the UK and really to maximise the opportunity created by this new high speed line in the UK."

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Chandoul explained that in the past many travellers in the other UK regions haven't considered Eurostar as an option as the service only runs out of London.

The new system is aimed at changing this by making it easier for customers to book tickets including journeys from the UK regions to London.

Chandoul said: "The solution we developed is basically allowing us to sell in one transaction, for example a York to Marseilles [ticket], with several carriers involved in the journey, priced as one through-fare."

The service means travellers from 68 UK towns and cities, including Birmingham, Leicester and York can book tickets to 75 destinations in France, including Paris and Lille, and any station in Belgium.

The project has taken 18 months to complete and the seven rail operators will go live with the system by the end of January, with more to follow later in the year.

The system is approved by the UK's Association of Train Operating Companies, which has 25 members. There are also plans to roll out the service to regional operators in Belgium and France.

The first seven UK rail operators to be linked are Chiltern Railways, East Midlands Trains, First Capital Connect, Hull Trains, London Midland, National Express East Coast and Virgin Trains.