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TICKETING
Anthony Smith, Chair of the Independent Rail Retailers (IRR), discusses the trade association and the vital role it has to play in the future of rail ticketing
Putting train ticketing on the right track A
nthony Smith is under no illusions that some parts of the rail industry might see third party rail ticketing organisations as “distractors”. But as Chair of the IRR, he is quick to hit back and has the facts to prove that isn’t the case. “All the facts show that what third party retailers do is generate growth, even though there is a misconception by some who want to sell their own product that they are distractive,” he said. IRR is a membership and advocacy organisation representing Assertis, Atomise, Evolvi, Fast Rail Ticketing, Raileasy, Trainline, Trip.com Group, Virgin Trains Ticketing, My Train Ticket and OnTrack. Collectively they contribute and facilitate £5 billion annually to industry revenue and are also the driving force behind a number of customer-focused innovations, including e-tickets and split ticketing. “Members are selling tickets direct to consumers and they also provide white label services for all of the rail industry apart from LNER,” he explained. “This includes train operator websites and a lot of travel
management stuff for companies such as charities, and football clubs, helping them manage their rail travel and record their carbon footprint. “They are very data and tech-led, with members working all around the world. They are very much about growth and very incentivised to grow the market because more happy passengers means more revenue. Of every pound they generate, around 95p goes back to the Government so the cost of sale is pretty efficient at around 5p in the pound. At the moment, the Government wants to engender growth and to use private sector money, and here we can do both of those things.” Anthony became the new Chair of IRR in January, after stepping down as Chief Executive at Transport Focus, the voice of Britain’s transport users, a position he held there and at its predecessor bodies for almost 25 years. “Somebody said to me that they were surprised when I went for the IRR job given the fact that I spent 24 years in consumer representation, but after leaving Transport Focus I wanted to do something else in
September 2024
which I thought I could be useful,” he said. “I thought the one sector where there could be some movement was around how you sell a product and everything I’ve seen and learnt in the last 24 years has convinced me you need the private sector involved in the railways. I thought this sector is interesting, they are really incentivised to get more passengers so in a way, they are kind of saving the planet at the same time, so I was keen to get involved.” IRR members are passionate about making it simpler for customers to choose to travel by rail, and helping the industry fill empty seats. They are working to encourage travel by addressing customer needs, investing in technology and the workforce, and making data-driven decisions. “Through agile and continuous improvement, we strive for greater efficiency and effective cost management,” added Anthony. “In the short term, my job is to help members to improve the climate of opinion about third party retailers – despite the fact consumers are using them en masse, and the value they bring in regards to