Clients
Mid-Hants Railway Watercress Line
Back in 2007 the Mid-Hants Railway in Hampshire were still hand-processing the 10,000+ bookings a year they received for their special events such as Day Out With Thomas™, Santa Specials and War On The Line.
One reason the railway had never looked at an automated system in the past was because their internal procedures were not documented or fully identified. Their ‘system’ worked for the people who used it but they found it hard to detail all the steps being taken and therefore couldn’t express everything they would have wanted a new system to do.
We first undertook a programme of consultancy with all relevant personnel to break down and detail all the tasks that were being performed and why. This achieved two very important objectives. Firstly it helped draw up an outline specification for what the new system needed to do and secondly it created a bond between the people at the railway and the ‘outsiders’ looking to implement new systems. Many people see a new system as simply more work for them so it was crucial to ensure they felt valued and heard throughout the process. It’s a crucial step that is often missed.
Going beyond the original requirement, the system also provided a sales outlet for the many dining trains run by the railway as well as the well-known Real Ale Trains (RAT). All of these sell out well in advance so automating the whole process was a huge relief for the staff and volunteers. Finally the railway’s experience days and gift vouchers were made available to book online.
As part of the vTicket solution we provided all the graphic design and print management services for production of over 100,000 bespoke thermal tickets per year, 10,000 ticket wallets and specially designed windowed envelopes for posting them out. Finally we supplied and still maintain their own thermal ticket printer for use in the reservations department.
Now the railway concentrates on running events and services, not how people are going to book and receive their tickets.
Read the Mid-Hants Railway case study
What the client said...
I really couldn’t believe that it just worked and people started using it from day one. I know these systems are supposed to work, but when they actually do, and especially this well it’s almost a surprise. I would have to say that bringing in Online Ticketing is one of the best things we’ve ever done.
Colin Chambers - The Mid-Hants Railway