P&O's new booking solution by Expian assures smooth sailings

Ferry provider enlists Expian to supply passenger ticketing technology for UK routes

Experience-centric ticketing solutions provider Expian has been appointed to supply international transport operator, P&O Ferries, with new technology to sell and manage passenger bookings.

The appointment sees Expian consulting on transformation of the booking process and implementing sales technology for a major international ferry operator that manages large passenger volumes across three UK ferry routes. 

Roll out starts later this year with technology first implemented for consumers using the Cairnryan-Larne route, which runs six daily sailings between Scotland and Northern Ireland and transports more than 360,000 passengers every year.

Prioritising the ability to sell effectively, manage transactions and to make it easy for customers to sail, will replace legacy software and integrate with existing systems. 

The result is predicted to be an "easy-to-use system that facilitates customer bookings – from consumers and third-party agents – and improves internal operations".

Expian’s API technology will integrate with P&O Ferries’ IT systems. 

When in place, the platform will allow the set up and management of complex products, tickets and promotions in line with P&O Ferries’ business model.

It will also facilitate memberships for the operator’s frequent traveller club. To support the company’s business with trade partners, Expian is adding a Ferry Gateway API, which allows partners to sell ferry tickets. 

The additional features will increase flexibility and manage pricing, capacity and trade partnerships.

Chloe Friend, IT director of P&O Ferries, said: “We were looking for a system that would improve how we sell tickets, standardising our approach and streamlining processes for our passengers and colleagues.

"Therefore, user experience and ease-of-use was front and centre for our brief. We have been impressed by how quickly the Expian team got to know the complexities and issues that faced different teams within our organisation and understand what they need from our sales system.”

Yiannis Maglaras, managing director of Expian, added: “It is an honour to have been appointed by P&O Ferries, a prestigious brand with great heritage and this is a fantastic opportunity for Expian to demonstrate our technology’s application in the ferry sector. 

"Our experienced team is already familiar with the complexities of managing ticketing across different ticketing types and ferry scheduling. Our consultative approach helped us to develop a trusted relationship with the P&O Ferries team so we can understand their operations and account for nuanced requirements.

“Ticketing is at the heart of operations for organisations like P&O Ferries so our phased approach to implementation will make the transition smooth for both passengers and crew. 

He said: "We also understand the importance of value in this market so our platform will manage the dynamic pricing, discounts, offers and early booking incentives the company offers to ensure it retains a competitive edge.”