redspottedhanky.com and Masabi launch UK rail mobile phone ticketing service

Feb. 24, 2012 - PRLog -- redspottedhanky.com, the award winning online travel retailer, has announced it is using Masabi, a developer of mTicketing technology for the transport sector, for its mobile ticketing service. The mobile application allows travellers to search for train times, buy tickets and earn loyalty points for any route in the UK, with displayable mTickets available on certain routes, eliminating the need for many passengers to use ticket machines. The apps currently support iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Nokia smartphones, as well as most everyday phones, with a Windows Phone 7 version launching soon.

Customers can quickly and easily search for and buy cheap train tickets (http://www.redspottedhanky.com/ ) and earn loyalty points without paying any booking fees – repeat purchases are even faster, requiring only a few key presses. mTickets are supported on certain routes, such as the Chiltern Railways network, in the form of 2D barcodes. Where mTickets are not available, customers can collect their tickets using a booking reference number at most UK rail stations. The application also has the option to link purchases to the user’s web account, giving them a single convenient place to view all purchases, or print out receipts for expenses claims.

"It is now possible to get the great redspottedhanky.com service on the go where customers can check train times and buy the cheapest possible tickets whilst earning loyalty points using their mobile phone, whether it's the latest smartphone or a basic everyday handset," said James Bain, redspottedhanky.com's Director and Co-Founder. "We look forward to continuing to work with Masabi to further develop the mobile applications and offer more advanced features, ultimately improving our customers’ experience."

"As more and more consumers opt to travel by rail, there is a need to find new ways to sell tickets without necessarily expanding every station. This application allows consumers to completely bypass ticket machines, making their journeys as effortless and enjoyable as possible, from buying the ticket to boarding the train," said Giacomo Biggiero, CPO of Masabi. "We are extremely pleased to be working with forward-thinking online rail ticket vendors like redspottedhanky.com in bringing this innovative service to the public."

All transactions are secured using Masabi's award-winning, US government certified, encryptME security system that will ultimately support phone-based contactless technology, such as NFC, once it is widely available on handsets.

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About Masabi:
Masabi is the leading developer of mobile ticketing technology for the transport sector. Its award-winning 'Ticket Machine in Your Pocket' applications signal the end of ticket queues by allowing passengers to quickly and securely buy and display tickets on almost any mobile phone, not just smartphones.

About redspottedhanky.com:
redspottedhanky.com is an online travel retailer, providing an easy way for leisure and business travellers to compare and book cheap train tickets and hotels online, and to save up to 80% on the cost of tickets booked in advance without incurring booking fees. Most notably, redspottedhanky.com offers something truly unique when buying train tickets online: it is the first ever British online retailer to offer loyalty points that can be redeemed against future train travel for any journey in Great Britain. For regular train travellers in these cash-strapped times, participation in the loyalty scheme would allow them to earn points for redemption against future rail travel and be rewarded beyond the price of a single ticket.

redspottedhanky.com's loyalty programme - the first and only rewards scheme available for train travel - now allows travellers to earn double points on hotel bookings for redemption against future rail travel and hotels, which are part of the loyalty programme scheme.

redspottedhanky.com won the Innovation category at the 2011 National Rail Awards. The judges were particularly impressed by redspottedhanky.com’s efforts to increase footfall at railway stations nation-wide and to get the best deal for customers.

PR Contact:
Alastair McCormick
MSL London
Pembroke Building
Kensington Village
Avonmore Road
London
W14 8DG
02078783137
www.redspottedhanky.com