News

RUSSIA: Moscow's airport express rail operator Aeroexpress and the local ride-share company BelkaCar have completed their first joint campaign with over 800 air-rail passengers using a promo code for their first ride with a discounted fare.

Aeroexpress passengers who have booked their rail ticket through the website or via the mobile app received a 500 roubles discount to travel via Moscow's leading car-sharing service.

“Thanks to our cooperation with BelkaCar, we were able to offer passengers the fastest and most beneficial way to reach the airport right from their home or office. During the New Year holidays, this was particularly in demand,” commented Valery Fyodorov, Chief Operating Officer of Aeroexpress.
During the campaign, which ended on 11th of January, passengers purchasing Aeroexpress e-tickets received a code to claim the discount with the car-sharing service.

On 25th of January BelkaCar has announced that they are extending the partnership until 8th of February. According to BelkaCar, the goal of the partnership is to help alleviate the transportation problems around the city, especially during the busy New Year's celebrations period.

AUSTRALIA: Following the highly anticipated launch of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2 on December 17, Airtrain is now set to wrap a tram in a unique design developed with customer feedback from December 21 to June 2018, to help passengers recognise the new Airtrain and tram connection and its convenience and affordability.

A number of passengers have already experienced seamless travel from Brisbane Airport’s Domestic and International terminals straight to Surfers Paradise and all major stops in between, thanks to the one simple change from Airtrain to tram at Helensvale station.

With Gold Coast tourism seeing a 7.2% increase in domestic visitors from June 2016 - 2017, the renowned holiday destination is well placed to attract more travellers in 2018 with the upcoming Commonwealth Games.

GoldlinQ (G:link) CEO Phil Mumford said passengers were embracing the extended light rail system more with than 40,000 people riding the G: on the opening day.

An online survey by Airtrain of almost 800 participants showed more than 90% of respondents praising the new tram connection.

One respondent of the survey said: “It is good to know that once you get on the tram at the Gold Coast, you get the connecting train all the way to the Brisbane Airport. Also the same can be done in reverse.”

Airtrain CEO, Chris Basche said the tram service greatly assists tourists and locals in accessing the coastal region of the Gold Coast and he is excited for the wrap to help travellers identify the smooth and faster connection from the Brisbane Airport to the beaches.

“Thanks to the new tram connection at Helensvale, it has never been easier to travel between Brisbane Airport and Surfers Paradise and the wrap will encourage more tourists and locals to take advantage of the simple connection of the tram service from Brisbane Airport,” said Mr Basche.

“We have already seen an overwhelmingly positive response from travellers with hundreds of bookings made for the tram service in recent days since the service launched on Monday.

“We’re excited to continue to meet the growing passenger demand of those travelling between the Brisbane Airport terminals and the Gold Coast during the busy Christmas period, into the Commonwealth Games and for years to come.”

Julieanne Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) CEO and Managing Director, welcomed the launch of the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 2, saying the new seamless transport option supports the growing number of visitors travelling via Brisbane Airport to the Gold Coast and beyond.

“Currently 23%, or nearly a quarter of a million, of all international visitors arriving into Brisbane Airport travel onwards to the Gold Coast region,” Ms Alroe said.

“Having this rail link operational prior to the Commonwealth Games in April is good news as 70% of all attendees coming for the Commonwealth Games are expected to arrive and depart via Brisbane.” 

MALAYSIA: KLIA Ekspres and the on-demand transportation and mobile payments platform Grab Malaysia have joined forces to offer a promotional package for their customers.

Travellers who purchase a KLIA Ekspres single trip plus Grab package online at RM55 can get a free Grab ride (worth RM10) to or from KL Sentral Station. This is the same fare as the normal KLIA Ekspres single trip ticket at the counter.

With each single trip package purchased via KLIA Ekspres website, mobile app or kiosk, they will receive a Grab Promo Code worth RM10 each. They can use the Promo Code on a GrabCar, GrabTaxi or a GrabShare ride. Travellers who purchase a KLIA Ekspres Return Trip + Grab package will receive two Grab Promo Codes worth RM10 each.
 
“As Malaysia and Southeast Asia’s preferred ride hailing service, we are always on the lookout for partnerships that will add value to our passengers, business partners and driver-partners. Therefore, this partnership with KLIA Ekspres will definitely improve the overall ride experience for our travellers – both locally and also foreigners, and support our objective of providing convenient and accessible mobility services to all in any way we can,” said Sean Goh, Country Head of GrabMalaysia.
 
Noormah Mohd Noor, Chief Executive Officer of Express Rail Link Sdn Bhd (ERL), the operator of KLIA Ekspres said: “At ERL, we recognise that ride-hailing is not only here to stay but will also grow with time – and we embrace this change. We are pleased to launch a new collaboration with Grab that will utilise ride-hailing features as part of the overall KLIA Ekspres service. We believe this will also encourage greater public use of the rail network and improve travel convenience for KLIA Ekspres customers.”
 
“This collaboration will provide a complete airport-to-home travel solution. Ensuring comfortable, convenient, and affordable transportation is a great way to make the start and end of any journey memorable!” said Noormah.
 
Goh further added that with features such as GrabChat (in-app chat system), GrabPay (cashless payment) and GrabRewards (Grab’s loyalty and rewards programme), every ride is made easier because passengers, especially tourists from the SEA region, can communicate with their drivers to minimise miscommunications, pay for their Grab ride without having to fumble for any small change, and above all, get to either use or collect GrabRewards points and exchange them for any local promotion.

AUSTRALIA: New Generation Rollingstock (NGR) trains have commenced passenger service on Monday 11 December on the Gold Coast Line. 

“The NGR trains are essential to meeting demand during the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games and our team has worked around the clock to ensure they were ready this year. More trains will be rolled out on the Gold Coast to Airport line over the coming months, including some services to Doomben and Northgate, and will eventually operate across the entire South East Queensland passenger rail network," Queensland Rail CEO Nick Easy said.

The new trains will operate between Brisbane's Domestic and International airport stations and the Gold Coast, allowing travellers to have a more comfortable and better-informed journey.

Brisbane's Airtrain CEO, Chris Basche, said to have NGR trains servicing the network was good news for Airtrain passengers, especially leading up to the Commonwealth Games.

“We strive to ensure all of our passengers experience a positive journey when travelling to or from Brisbane Airports and the NGR trains will only enhance their experience,” said Mr Basche.

“To have the first of these new trains up and running on our network and servicing the Gold Coast in time for the Commonwealth Games is fantastic both for Airtrain and for our passengers, existing and future.”

All NGR trains will be Wi-Fi enabled and will feature LCD display screens in each carriage to provide more up to date route and next station information.

They will also have more legroom and larger windows as well as 12 spaces dedicated for those who require mobility aids in the middle two cars that will align with assisted boarding points at the majority of stations on the network.

Airtrain is the fastest, easiest and most cost-effective way to reach Brisbane and the Gold Coast from Brisbane Airport. It is the sole rail service connecting Brisbane Airport to Brisbane CBD with more than 21 million passenger trips taken in the company’s 16 years of operation.

UK: London Gatwick Airport has launched a passenger app providing flight alerts, real-time queue updates for check-in and security, intuitive navigation using beacon technology and shopping, restaurant and airport offers. 

Gatwick’s new app is part of several passenger-facing digital innovations coming on stream soon including advanced chat bots, augmented reality wayfinding and the airport-wide use of the Internet of Things.

The new app means that holidaymakers and business travellers can enjoy a more seamless experience when travelling through Gatwick as it boasts a range of features including:

• Personalised flight information – real-time updates onflight status and gate information straight to your mobile
• Real-time queue updates – for check-in and security to plan your time at the airport
• Intuitive maps - guiding passengers through the airport using 2,000 navigation beacons located throughout terminal buildings
• Shopping and eating offers – specific to your terminal and instantly redeemable from your phone

Personalised flight information pushed to your phone includes boarding status and gate access, which means passengers can enjoy their time at the airport without having to hunt for flight information screens. 

The free app is a one-stop shop for all things Gatwick with benefits extending beyond use in the terminal buildings, including:

• Real-time road and rail travel information
• Ability to book Official Gatwick Parking, Premium Security or Premium Passport Control 
• A handy ‘Where’s my car?’ feature so those using Gatwick’s on-site car parks can easily store their parking location for a hassle-free return journey
• ‘Which Terminal’ to get you to the right location for your flight
• Passenger pick-up and drop-off information, ideal for those meeting friends and family on an inbound flight
• Information on services across the airport including baby changing, charging points, hotels and lounges
• Easy access to information for passengers requiring special assistance services or those with hidden disabilities
   
  Cathal Corcoran, Chief Information Officer, Gatwick Airport, said: “Our new app is just one of many exciting digital initiatives that our award-winning digital team is developing. We are transforming the way airport information is communicated and will soon connect passengers to intelligent chat bots using Facebook Messenger, Skype, and other popular apps. The airport’s 2000 wayfinding beacons are also a world first and have the capability to enable augmented reality wayfinding for passengers, making it easier to navigate the airport’s two terminal buildings.”