
GuestLogix secures first rail operator, Grand Central Railway Company, to offer comprehensive on-board retail services
Innovative UK rail service provider and Grand Central partner, Innovation Facilities Limited, aims to deliver unique seat services to enhance travel experience and passenger convenience
LONDON, UK and TORONTO, CANADA — March 13, 2008 — The highly competitive UK rail industry which is locked in a market struggle with alternate travel options, such as cars, buses and domestic air travel, is quickly taking a page from the airline industry playbook to enhance service and grow ancillary revenues to remain competitive. One such UK rail service pacesetter, Innovation Facilities Limited, working on behalf of Grand Central Railway Company Limited, today entered into a multi-year agreement with Canadian company GuestLogix Inc. (TSX-V:GXI), for the provision of their Mobile Virtual Store™ on-board technology to assist their train crews with on-board sale offers and transactions.
Innovation Facilities Limited is part of the Innovation Service Group, an UK facilities manager and food service provider to Grand Central under the Route 26 brand.
The Grand Central Railway Company provides a high quality, affordable and accessible train service to communities across the North of England who are remote from direct services to London. All Grand Central services operate with a full restaurant and buffet service, offering passengers the chance to dine in a unique environment in the restaurant car or at their seat using a comprehensive trolley service. Unlike the airline sector, rail operators have more storage capacity to carry goods which can be purchased and consumed on-board or carried away. GuestLogix will help turn Grand Central into a true mobile store that builds on the existing Route 26 brand experience.
Paul Barnes, Finance Director of Innovation Service Group, commented:
"The GuestLogix technology and platform will initially propagate our Route 26 brand and will roll out to other Group brands in time, by allowing customers to pre-book meals to be delivered at the seat as well as providing us opportunities to sell items such as gifts and attraction tickets. The Mobile Virtual Store™ provides the necessary tools to become smarter about our retailing options and deliver personalized service."
The GuestLogix solution allows Grand Central to offer new products and services never before available on board a railway coach and accept cash in multiple currencies or credit card payments. GuestLogix' unique technology and user interface are particularly suited for rail service providers and includes POS handheld devices and back-office software delivered as secure web services. The new technology will be fully deployed across Grand Central's fleet by the end of April.
Tom Douramakos, President and CEO of GuestLogix said:
"Our Mobile Virtual Store™ delivers the on-board service and convenience rail passengers have been waiting for. As the preferred supplier of on-board retail systems to the airline industry we are very pleased to have Grand Central usher our solution into the rail sector, a market most believe to be much larger for on-board retail revenues."
About GuestLogix
GuestLogix is a leading provider of on-board retail technology and solutions to the passenger travel industry. The world's leading airline brands, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Alaska Airlines and Ryanair rely on GuestLogix to serve their passengers. GuestLogix is publicly traded on the TSX Venture Exchange in Toronto (Symbol GXI). For more information please visit www.guestlogix.com.
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| Media and Analyst Contact: | Josef Zankowicz VP Marketing & Communications Paul Barnes, Finance Director, Innovation Service Group |
| Sales Contact: | Dan Hayter, Sales Director, GuestLogix Europe Tony Ashe, VP Americas, GuestLogix |