FUJITSU Services has secured a five year, £13m contract renewal with ATOC, the Association of Train Operating Companies, to continue running and maintaining RJIS – the Rail Journey Information Service.

RJIS is a critical IT system for all 22 ATOC members, the National Rail Enquiry Service, two online retailers and nearly 500 other retailers of rail tickets. It provides the timetables, fares, route planning, ticketing and transaction services needed to buy rail tickets and complete travel enquiry requests; without it no one would be able to buy a train ticket.

Fujitsu was responsible for the initial development of RJIS in the 1990s when it implemented a complete applications business solution which brought a series of ATOC’s legacy systems onto one single integrated platform. The new deal will see Fujitsu re-fresh and update the hardware and applications technology used by RJIS.

As a result of massive growth in online purchases (25 per cent year-on-year) there is a much greater demand for vending-style machines used for ticket collection following on-line purchases, says Fujitsu. In response to this, Fujitsu will be managing the RJIS database to ensure there is capacity to meet the growing demand for ticket vending machine services.  By improving the database for these machines Fujitsu expects a greater uptake among RJIS users. This shift will also make Ticket-on-Departure machines more cost-effective for smaller stations to operate, which will be beneficial to both the train operating companies, and most importantly the customer.

Steve Howes, managing director of Rail Settlement Plan (RSP) for ATOC, says: “This renewal reflects the ongoing commitment from both parties to this long–running and successful project. Over the period of the contract we have increasingly come to see Fujitsu not just a supplier but as a partner who fundamentally understands the business objectives of both RSP and its stakeholders.�

Adds Nick Chisnall, head of rail business Fujitsu Services: “The enhanced user interface and strengthened Ticket-on-Departure system will contribute greatly to smooth operations in the National Rail arena, providing benefits to both train operating companies and customers alike. We are pleased to see this partnership continue to 2013.�