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Eurostar becomes latest train operator looking to startups to shake up its operations

Train company Eurostar has begun its search for some of the continent’s most disruptive startups to find ways the latest AI, machine learning and data innovations could help it to improve its processes.

London-headquartered Eurostar International, which runs the Eurostar network between London, Paris and Brussels, has put out a call for startups and entrepreneurs across the tech spectrum who might be able to utilise their innovations to improve the operator’s processes.

Interested tech firms have until Thursday 25 May to apply for the opportunity to pitch their business ideas to venture capitalists and industry figures at the Vivatechnology show in Paris next month.

Eurostar has said it is looking for companies who can help support its next phase of growth, improving passenger experience and understanding of passenger flows as the operator continues to add further destinations to its network.

In particular, the company is looking for startups which can provide predictive and real-time insight into passenger flows at stations in an effort to reduce overcrowding and encourage more passenger-centered designs.

Artificial intelligence and machine learning have also been highlighted as potential areas that its processes could benefit, with personalised customer interactions and recommendations across its operations providing opportunities to increase brand awareness and loyalty.

Explaining the thought process behind the initiative, Eurostar’s website states: “Excellence in service is a key pillar of Eurostar’s values.

“Customer expectations are high, and as we increase the number of destinations and customers served, maintaining and improving Eurostar’s customer experience, including understanding and managing potential disruptions, having access to predictive customer flow and analysis in real time, automating ticket control are key to enhance performance.”

The ultimate winner of the pitching competition, which will take place June 15-17, will be offered the chance to work on a paid pilot with Eurostar with the potential to see their innovation integrated into the continental train carrier’s operations.

All aboard the innovation train

In doing so, Eurostar has become yet another train operator courting up and coming startups, and exploring how their innovations can improve their services.

Change has been slow in an industry which was once at the forefront of global engineering innovation; however, there are signs that companies are beginning to get serious about providing digital and tech-focused services that improve comfort and convenience.

The Department for Transport (DfT) backed HackTrain accelerator programme has been supported by some of the biggest names in the railway industry, including First Group, Stagecoach and Arriva.

Launching just last year the accelerator has harnessed some of the most up-to-the-minute technologies and explored how they might go about improving customer experiences across the UK’s rail network.

Meanwhile, London Midland unveiled the first cohort of its inaugural accelerator programme in March, inviting well regarded innovators such as compensation platform RealRepay and data company Warwick Analytics, to work and develop their product ideas.

Clearly there has been a sea change in the industry’s approach to innovation as train firms are increasingly asked to do more with less and face ever more ire from dissatisfied passengers.

Commenting on the launch of the first HackTrain programme, Alison Smith, Head of Customer Experience at GWR, said that tech is changing every aspect of travel.

She said: “Technology has fundamentally changed the way that we travel. Not only distances covered, but in the way we access information about services and in our ability to purchase ‘smart’ tickets while already on the move.

“As one of the UK’s leading transport providers, Great Western Railway is committed to providing innovative solutions to keep people moving, such as our highly regarded social media feeds, our mobile ticketing app and our live passenger information web page.”

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