Atos Origin has successfully completed roll-out of a new, innovative mobile ticketing service for Heathrow Express train network between London Heathrow’s airport terminals and Paddington Station in Central London. Passengers on the Heathrow Express can now have their tickets sent directly to a mobile phone or PDA, so they do not have to queue to collect tickets at the station before they travel.

This is the first implementation of AVANTIXMetro, an e- and mobile ticketing solution designed and built by Atos Origin. It allows individual and corporate customers to book online through the Heathrow Express website. When making a booking, customers can opt to receive either a bar-coded e-ticket that is registered to their mobile phone, or a self print version of the ticket. Both types of ticket are then scanned and validated on-board the Heathrow Express train. Paper tickets can still be purchased on the train direct from the train manager.

George Fripp, Heathrow Express international corporate account manager comments that, “Most of our customers are incredibly busy professionals that use our service because it’s the most convenient way to get to and from Heathrow Airport in just 15 minutes. E-ticketing builds on that by taking the hassle out of booking journeys and making their travel even more seamless. All you need to do is book, board the train and go. It’s as simple as that.”

The terminal used by train staff is built on the Casio IT-3000. It is a rugged, versatile industrial data terminal with an integrated thermal printer. Its versatile communications options include standard Bluetooth and IrDA, and a PCMCIA slot allowing GPRS and WLAN communications. With the built-in printer and colour touch screen making it ideal for mobile sales, ticketing, parking enforcement and service management.