Global distribution system provider Travelport is to replace its Worldspan rail booking tool with the Travelport UK Rail system.
Galileo agents have been using the system since April after Travelport signed a deal with thetrainline.com. The move follows Travelport’s purchase of Worldspan earlier this year for £700 million.
Worldspan-enabled agents will be able to use Travelport UK Rail as a replacement for the Elgar system, which is being withdrawn from the market at the end of this year.
Travelport GDS general manager UK and Ireland Patrick Lukan said without an agreement with their GDS provider, agents will lose out on sales commission from UK rail tickets.
“We’ve been urging agents to make a decision before the end of the year. Some have heeded that advice, but not everyone. There is still an opportunity for agents in train bookings, but they need a fast and efficient way of doing it.”
The Travelport UK Rail system streamlines the booking process, he said. “It is more efficient because it integrates information into the customer’s passenger name record and sends the accounting data into the back-office system.”