PRESS RELEASE FROM PARKEON TRANSPORTATION

January 29, 2015

Innovation awarded for Parkeon and Northern Rail

A partnership between Parkeon Transportation and Northern Rail has led to success at the Transport Ticketing & Passenger Information Awards 2015.

The companies were named joint winners in the Best Customer Serving Operator category for an industry-first innovation that has enhanced the information delivered to passengers via ticket vending machines (TVM).

The accolade recognises the positive customer impact of live train running information being available to customers via 96 Parkeon self-service TVMs introduced across Northern Rail's vast and varied network. The TVM software developed by Parkeon enablescustomers to purchase their tickets at the machine and to see live information displayedabout the next five trains, including platform details and whether the train is running on time.

During disruption, the initiative allows customers to make an informed decision about buying their ticket and their choices for onward travel, crucial when there is not a member of staff to talk to. The data is fed from the industry Nexus Alpha system and has proved extremely reliable.

At all times, the customer has the option to buy or collect tickets, or return to the train running information, thus making the system dual-purpose, flexible and easy to use. Adding train running information to the Parkeon machines is a cost effective, simple and fast solution, and a first for the rail industry. From placement of order to roll-out, Parkeon completed the project on budget and in less than four months.

Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Northern Rail, comments: "Embracing this new technology has made our Ticket Vending Machines even more customer-friendly. Some of our customers don't have access to physical Customer Information Screens and it can be difficult for them to access the most up-to-date train running information. We recognise how important this is to them and we're investing in offering even more ways to keep informed."

Says Paul Moirano, Sales Director, UK Rail for Parkeon: "This is a true industry innovation that enables Northern Rail to enhance the information provided to passengers via its TVM network. From an industry perspective, this development addresses one of the key customer communications priorities set by government in its strategic plans for the rail sector."

Ends

Media enquiries to:

Philip Colley, Harvest.

Tel: 023 9244 9655 / 07785 306378/Philip.colley@harvestpr.co.uk/ @harvestprman

Notes to editors

Northern Rail

Northern Rail is the biggest train operator in Britain, providing 2,500 local andregional train services every day across the north of England, serving a population of nearly 15m. There are now 96million passenger journeys made on our network each year, 47% more than when we started our franchise in December 2004. 

In April 2014, Northern Rail achieved a franchise best score of 95.26% in the Public Performance Measure (PPM) for UK railways.   

Northern Rail is operated in joint venture by Serco and Abellio.  This joint venture combines Serco's world-class service credentials and Abellio's unrivalled transport industry expertise. Serco ran the highly successful Docklands Light Railway for 17 years while Abellio delivers bus and rail services to over 650,000 passengers in the UK and Germany every day. In addition to Northern Rail, Serco and Abellio havethe 25-year concession for Merseyrail, which provides urban train services in Merseyside.

Parkeon

Parkeon is a global leader in mass transit ticketing and parking payment solutions. 

The company meets the constantly evolving needs of operators, drivers and passengers to improve urban mobility via public and private transport systems.

Parkeon solutions help operators to optimise revenues, whilst providing end-users with quick and easy access to public transport and parking facilities. All this is delivered through a commitment to continuous innovation that has been the hallmark of the company for over 40 years.

Parkeon employs over 1,000 people worldwide with offices in Europe, USA and Australia.  It also works with local partners in other countries.

For more information:www.parkeon.com