THE REVIEW
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AV I S U P D AT E
Seamless integration & end-to-end travel The rise of flexible mobility solutions means that business travellers can now enjoy an increasingly seamless experience from door to door. With the range of options now wider than ever, the need for efficiency, simplicity and clarity has never been greater. Fair and transparent pricing is of the utmost important to us, and in response to first-hand feedback from TMCs, we have introduced an all-inclusive pricing option in the UK and Europe, which guarantees that the amount on the invoice is indeed the final amount to be paid. All the essentials are included from the word go, including additional and young driver options, unlimited mileage and Road Fund Licence. It’s added peace of mind so when the customer collects the vehicle they know they have everything they need. We have also introduced e-signature technology to help speed up the rental car pick-up process – it’s similar to that seen in the parcel delivery industry, and has the potential to add real value in terms of efficiency and clarity. We capture customers’ signatures digitally on easy-toview screens, which clearly highlight areas on the rental agreement for review. A digital copy is also emailed to customers for their records.
To further improve the customer experience – specifically relating to transparency around charges – we have created an industry-first mobile damage checking system. The Avis Maintenance and Damage Management System integrates a digital vehicle condition report into each rental agreement. Any significant damage is photographed, timed and logged, and then fed into the billing and reconciliation system.
As part of our commitment to support TMCs, we recently launched the Avis online training academy, which provides jargon-busting guides and a series of helpful resources to empower booking consultants to make the right choice as part of a ‘complete journey’ approach. With our customers at the centre of everything we do, we combine their first hand feedback with the wider industry insights we gain, as the only car rental member of the GTMC, to help us respond to their continually evolving needs.
James Turner Sales Director at Avis Budget Group
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Evolvi users drive down rail costs THE average price of rail tickets purchased through the Evolving booking platform has fallen to £57.02 in 2017. Average ticket values (ATV) for over one million users registered by Evolvi's TMC customer base have consistently defied year-on-year fare increases. The ATV of £57.72 in 2016 compared to £59.03 in 2013, despite annual mandated increases of up to 3.9% over the period. “The continued reduction in ATV in 2017 to £57.02 is testament to the ability of the Evolvi system to navigate the incredibly complex UK rail fares structure and present the best available fares options within a policy-driven environment, whether through the Evolvi GUI or web API,” says Ken Cameron, Managing Director of Evolvi Rail Systems.
[ ON TRACK ] >> GoMedia is bringing a selection of HBO shows including Game of Thrones to rail passengers as part of a new onboard entertainment package from TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS >> One in three London car journeys could be in an autonomous vehicle by 2025, and a third of private vehicle journeys could be made with new technology, says ADDISON LEE-led MERGE Greenwich consortium. One in seven of London’s overall journeys, by any form of transport, could be made by autonomous ride-sharing within eight years >> The average SME business traveller takes 6.4 trips a month according to research from TRAINLINE FOR BUSINESS. It says 74% of SME owners travel off-peak due to budget constraints
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11/24/17 01:32 PM