HRG launches unique cost saving function for rail travel

Friday September 17 2010

Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), the world class corporate travel services company, launches a unique cost saving function for corporate rail travel. The new feature, unveiled within HRG OnlineTM version 8.6, enables clients to view savings on ticket costs, and manage UK rail spend more effectively.

Rail has been one of the fastest areas of growth for corporates in recent months. HRG, in recognising this demand, quickly realised the need for travel managers to monitor and manage their online UK rail spend. This innovative feature enables clients to benchmark their savings against any of the available fare types. Users will then be able to see how much they are saving on a standard ticket price.

HRG OnlineTM already has an impressive existing functionality for booking UK rail travel, guiding users to the cheapest combination of single or return fares for their journey. Now, after responding to and working with clients, the in-house developed enhancement, records and stores all the data, which is then available as a savings report. This report will highlight any out of policy rail bookings, signifying areas where policy can be tightened to achieve further savings.

Paul Saggar, Director Technology Product Development for HRG, comments: “The newly developed rail feature within our new version of HRG OnlineTM clearly demonstrates our ability to identify additional savings opportunities for our clients. Users will see the savings benefits as they are making their bookings, thanks to the dynamic rail display. This display will also inform the traveller of any overspend, recording it as a missed savings opportunity. Such visual prompts often help to shape positive purchasing behaviour in the future. The flexibility of this tool allows users to set the benchmark fare according to their policy and needs, ultimately providing them with greater control over their online rail spend."

"The new rail savings feature is available through both the combined air and rail display and the rail only search. Currently it is only available in the UK.

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For further information:
Sallyanne Heywood
Hogg Robinson Group
Tel: +44 (0) 1256 312624
sallyanne.heywood@hrgworldwide.com

Ed Grattan
Euro RSCG Biss Lancaster
Tel: +44 (0) 207 467 9200
Email: blhrg@bisslancaster.com

Notes to Editors:
Hogg Robinson Group (HRG) is an award-winning international corporate travel services company which operates from headquarters in Basingstoke, Hampshire, UK. Established in 1845, HRG’s interests now relate to owned or controlled corporate travel services operations in 25 key driver/growth markets throughout Europe, North America and Asia Pacific supported by contracted partners in Africa, Middle East/West Asia and Latin America. The HRG worldwide network extends to nearly 120 countries.

HRG’s philosophy is to focus on its clients, underpinned by three differentiators – its people, its technology and its breadth of service. The company has experienced management and skilled operators together with a strong reputation for technology which it develops and owns in-house. In addition HRG is the only major travel management company to offer a real breadth and depth of services, all of which combine to serve every client around the globe delivering value, cost savings, efficiency and innovation, without compromise.

HRG’s portfolio of clients spans a broad range of industry sectors including but not limited to Automotive, Banking and Finance, Food Manufacturing, Media and Entertainment, Oil & Gas, Pharmaceutical, Retail and Telecommunications.

 

 Paul Saggar, HRG

 
The flexibility of this tool allows users to set the benchmark fare according to their policy and needs, ultimately providing them with greater control over their online rail spend.