Grand Central launches integrated digital portal for passengers

Credit: Grand Central

UK long distance train operator, Grand Central, is leading the way in digital passenger services by launching an integrated digital portal for entertainment, journey updates and at-seat hospitality.

‘Journey Central’ will offer rail travellers a range of services in one integrated platform, which they can access through smart phones, tablets or laptops, without the need for downloads or passwords.

Developed in conjunction with journey tech specialists Whoosh, the portal provides real-time journey information and enables passengers to have refreshments delivered to their seat – a system pioneered by contactless ordering developers Ordamo.

Grand Central’s Commercial and Customer Policy Director, Louise Blyth, said: “We’re really excited about the launch of Journey Central because it is technology that is only just starting to appear for passengers, and it’s great that Grand Central is at the forefront. Passengers don’t have the hassle of downloading apps or creating passwords, they just scan a QR code at their seat and have instant access to the very latest journey information, entertainment and at-seat hospitality, all through their own device.”

The launch of the service marks a significant milestone in Grand Central’s recovery after months of hibernation during the worst of the COVID-19 lockdowns in the UK over the course of 2020 and 2021: “When our trains returned in March 2021, we knew that we wanted the passenger experience to be even better and to continually improve. With the launch of this technology, we’re actually changing the way that Grand Central operates, in-line with what passengers told us that they’d like from our services. Journey Central is something that we intend to continually update and develop together with Whoosh and Ordamo, so watch this space everyone,” Louise added.

Explaining some of the key functions of the system, Edmund Caldecott, Managing Director of Whoosh, said: “From our roots in developing award-winning, at-seat entertainment, we recognised Grand Central’s desire to provide its passengers with continually-updated information. Working with Grand Central to deliver a digital platform that met the needs of its passengers, this dashboard is packed with service, station, catering, weather, entertainment and onward journey information for passengers to have all that they need in one portal.”

Ordamo’s Chief Executive, Rupert Gutteridge, added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Ordamo to be working with Whoosh to deliver a solution that will revolutionise the customer journey and make rail travel even more desirable. Services such as this, comprising entertainment and ‘at-seat dining’, have been the domain of airlines until now. Journey Central means that rail passengers will experience an enhanced level of service. This type of on-demand ease is the new normal: on-the-move customers can spend less time lingering, and more time living.”