GBR ticket retailing launch

[81A]

With the launch of the Great British Railways (GBR) livery, I was wondering how long it will be until (or if?) a new GBR ticket website will launch. It seems a waste to have so many different websites for each nationalised operator, from different providers (e.g. LNER is Vix, TPE is on track, SWR is Silverrail, C2C is Pico4UK). I was also wondering whether ticket office systems (currently provided by a mix of TTK, Worldline and Pico (and Fujitsu for a few months))/ticket machines (currently provided by S&B, Arrive and Pico) would be standardised?

Note: sorry if I am missing any current providers, there are so many I could easily have made an omission…

 

[Wallsendmag]

I think Ticket office TIS will continue as is , they all do much the same ( you missed VIx for TfW) as to online time will tell

 

[81A]

I think Ticket office TIS will continue as is , they all do much the same ( you missed VIx for TfW) as to online time will tell

Probably a good idea for ticket office TIS as it would avoid a monopoly situation (like happened with Cubic ticket gates). For online, I am not sure (it is easier to change web provider presumably? As less physical hardware?).

 

[CyrusWuff]

The intention is to introduce a single online platform (provisionally named GBR Online) to replace all existing TOC websites and mobile apps.

The interesting thing will be how licensing of third-party retailers will be managed in the new world. It's currently handled by Rail Delivery Group but they'll be absorbed into GBR, creating a potential conflict of interest.

 

[talldave]

The intention is to introduce a single online platform (provisionally named GBR Online) to replace all existing TOC websites and mobile apps.

Obviously much more efficient and fairer to have a single point of failure that can prevent everyone across the entire country buying tickets when it crashes.

And no doubt it'll gobble up millions of pounds of our money, be delivered late and do exactly what current systems do already today, but inevitably worse.

 

[Djgr]

It would be informative to compare the number of online platforms in Great Britain with railways overseas (e.g. Ireland, Switzerland).

Pretty certain that GB is an outlier and by no means an example of best practice.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Obviously much more efficient and fairer to have a single point of failure that can prevent everyone across the entire country buying tickets when it crashes.

There is anyway - the reservations system.

Third party retailers won't be going away so there will still be multiple options, plus TfW and ScotRail as they are distinct from GBR. There just won't be the waste of having one site per English TOC.

 

[Adam Williams]

e.g. Ireland

I was far from impressed with the seat selection experience and general booking flow when I looked at Irish Rail.

 

[800Travel]

Wonder what will happen with promos - for example LNER's occasional student discount via Unidays and TPEs various discounts (I believe students, health services staff, teachers and charity workers).

 

[Jan Mayen]

Wonder what will happen with promos - for example LNER's occasional student discount via Unidays and TPEs various discounts (I believe students, health services staff, teachers and charity workers).

Perhaps they'll be offered to people who earn less than teachers as well?

 

[81A]

I was far from impressed with the seat selection experience and general booking flow when I looked at Irish Rail.

Doubt it is as bad as SNCF… The one time I tried to use their website for a group (of 5 people) booking it didn’t work (but allowed entry of a ridiculous amount of information before getting to that point-everyone’s name, date of birth, gender etc.) showing some random error message and then crashing.

To make matters worse, the ancient ticket machine (which was the same kind the Croydon Trams used to use-from about 2001) was very complex to use and wouldn’t take our card-even with the help of SNCF staff. I think it would have taken cash but didn’t have (or want to risk in the ancient machine) €160 cash…

After using a stupid “book appointment and wait for number” system, the booking office sorted the tickets with 2 minutes before our train…

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2026 ==

Obviously much more efficient and fairer to have a single point of failure that can prevent everyone across the entire country buying tickets when it crashes.

And no doubt it'll gobble up millions of pounds of our money, be delivered late and do exactly what current systems do already today, but inevitably worse.

Not going into my opinion on nationalisation, but having 10+ official websites for one national operator seems excessive (maybe 2, one aimed at long distance-allowing seat selection etc. and one aimed at short distance-allowing quick buy flexible tickets without itinerary/seat bookings). I would obviously be in favour of third parties when they can offer enough to compete (eg. the excellent Trainsplit and Railsmartr platforms).

 

[800Travel]

Perhaps they'll be offered to people who earn less than teachers as well?

Somehow I doubt that GBR will be standardising a 20% fare reduction for all passengers, unfortunately.

 

[TUC]

I'm far from convinced thst GBR will incorporate together all of the best functionalities from each of the TOC websites.

 

[talldave]

I'm far from convinced thst GBR will incorporate together all of the best functionalities from each of the TOC websites.

Sadly I don't think anyone's trying to convince you. I fear that something poorly specified, by someone who knows nothing about rail travel, delivered late and way over budget is what's in store.

 

[Coleridge]

I'd like to see just one website for booking rail tickets and railcards, along the lines of the excellent DB and SBB websites and apps, with no third-party retailers at all. Paying commission to third parties for selling train tickets is simply bleeding money from the rail network.

However, until the fare system is simplified to the point where split tickets are no longer necessary (which will probably never happen), we need independent retailers to help us find the cheapest tickets.

 

[JamesWatson]

Paying commission to third parties for selling train tickets is simply bleeding money from the rail network.

What do you base this on?

What makes you think a thriving competitive marketplace does not result in better customer outcomes and higher overall ticket sales?

 

[Vexed]

Paying commission to third parties for selling train tickets is simply bleeding money from the rail network.

With most third party retailers charging some form of booking or split ticket fee surely this means the commission isn't high enough?

I accept there are exceptions like Trip that but they don't have the money/choose not to have good customer service. Uber is trying to get market share with their cashback on top of no fees which must be unsustainable.

Do I think GBR should develop it's own in house ticketing retailer as a one-off instead of relying externally? Yes, but I also think third party retailers should stay around. 4.5% commission isn't much once you consider fixed costs like card fees and eTicket/ToD issuing fees (which go back into the rail industry).

 

[Wallsendmag]

I'd like to see just one website for booking rail tickets and railcards, along the lines of the excellent DB and SBB websites and apps, with no third-party retailers at all. Paying commission to third parties for selling train tickets is simply bleeding money from the rail network.

However, until the fare system is simplified to the point where split tickets are no longer necessary (which will probably never happen), we need independent retailers to help us find the cheapest tickets.

I'd like a Ferrari SF90 Don't think either of us is going to get what we want.

 

[OscarH]

It's currently handled by Rail Delivery Group but they'll be absorbed into GBR, creating a potential conflict of interest.

When pointed out, there has been very little interest in guardrails to prevent abuse of the position they will end up in

With most third party retailers charging some form of booking or split ticket fee surely this means the commission isn't high enough?

Indeed. I, and many other people, will eat our hats if GBR Online sustains itself purely from the 4.5% commission (minus card fees and the industry fees we all pay) without cross-subsidy from other parts of the organisation.

 

[Coleridge]

I'd like a Ferrari SF90 Don't think either of us is going to get what we want.

I don't think I'm asking for anything unreasonable - merely a unified platform for buying rail tickets and railcards, like other countries have. A Honda Jazz, perhaps, rather than a Ferrari, to replace the fleet of Reliant Robins we have now. But, as I think I implicitly acknowledged in my original post, I know that I'm not going to get it. I don't see anything changing when the network becomes Great British Railways.

 

[81A]

Perhaps the best GBR approach would be to take one of the better current TOC websites (TPE is pretty good) and re badge it and add any missing functionality (I chose TPE because there is less missing than some-the main thing I can think of is a seat selector).

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Do I think GBR should develop it's own in house ticketing retailer as a one-off instead of relying externally? Yes, but I also think third party retailers should stay around. 4.5% commission isn't much once you consider fixed costs like card fees and eTicket/ToD issuing fees (which go back into the rail industry).

Does/will GBR have the in-house technical ability to do that?
My perception is that TOC retail sites use core engines developed by third parties like Trainline and others, often customised by third parties too, with individual TOC wrappers making them look home-grown.
I'm expecting GBR to contract out their retail site, while retaining the functional specification and roll-out management.

Another way would be to add ticket purchasing capability to the National Rail site, which currently refers you to TOC retail sites for that function.
On the other hand I find NRE one of the least impressive platforms for rail journey planning, compared to third party and TOC sites.

 

[81A]

Another way would be to add ticket purchasing capability to the National Rail site, which currently refers you to TOC retail sites for that function.

Please, no! That journey planner needs ripping up and starting over in my opinion...

 

[Vexed]

Does/will GBR have the in-house technical ability to do that?
My perception is that TOC retail sites use core engines developed by third parties like Trainline and others, often customised by third parties too, with individual TOC wrappers making them look home-grown.
I'm expecting GBR to contract out their retail site, while retaining the functional specification and roll-out management.

I think it will unfortunately be contracted out, though I hope not. Remember that GBR is going to be a lot bigger than any current individual TOC.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2026 ==

It's not really nationalisation if lots of GBR remains contracted out to the private sector!

 

[berneyarms]

I was far from impressed with the seat selection experience and general booking flow when I looked at Irish Rail.

What’s wrong with it?