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05 March 2024 - Rail Europe-iryo sign comprehensive partnership
Berlin, Germany – 5 March 2024 - Rail Europe, the leading platform for train booking, and iryo, the Spanish high-speed rail operator, have the pleasure of announcing a new partnership that marks a transformative step forward in the realm of rail travel across Spain.
Through this innovative alliance, Rail Europe customers will enjoy unparalleled convenience, speed and flexibility when planning their journeys across Spain. Amid heightened competition on these routes, the integration of iryo's comprehensive network of high-speed rail services into Rail Europe's portfolio by 15 April will ensure travellers’ access to an extensive array of routes and destinations - including Madrid, Zaragoza, Barcelona, Tarragona, Valencia, Cuenca, Alicante, Albacete, Sevilla, Córdoba and Málaga – time slots, fares and ticketing options, all within a single, user-friendly interface.
"We are excited about the future of rail travel in Spain with this key partnership with iryo. This collaboration underscores our commitment to providing our customers with the most convenient and comprehensive travel solutions to seamlessly travel by train across Europe. By integrating iryo's extensive network into our platform, we are empowering travellers to explore Spain's rich history, culture and landscapes with unprecedented ease, and further encourage the modal shift to rail," said Björn Bender, CEO & Executive Chairman of Rail Europe.
This partnership highlights Rail Europe's dedication to enhancing the customer experience and expanding access to sustainable and efficient modes of transportation. With iryo's high-speed connections seamlessly integrated into Rail Europe's platform, travellers can expect a streamlined booking process, real-time availability, and expert customer support every step of the way.
"We are delighted to join forces with Rail Europe to bring the future of rail travel to passengers willing to explore Spain. Through this partnership, we will increase our reach thanks to Rail Europe’s extensive market coverage spanning over 70 countries, coupled with robust distribution channels, encompassing both B2C and B2B segments, with a network of over 15,000 agents worldwide. In doing so, we will reinforce our commitment to providing travellers with convenient access to Spain's unparalleled high-speed rail network, enabling customers to discover the beauty and diversity of our country in a sustainable and accessible manner," said Simone Gorini, CEO and General Manager at iryo.
The Spanish railway market stands as a dynamic arena marked by a liberalized framework, which has facilitated the emergence of new rail providers. This environment fosters healthy competition, providing consumers with an extensive range of options and driving innovation within the industry. With this partnership, Rail Europe reaffirms its position as a leading innovator in the travel industry, providing customers with unparalleled access to all of Spain’s high-speed rail providers and offers, as well as Europe's vast network of rail services.
About Rail Europe
Rail Europe is the global reference brand for European train booking. We have been the trusted partner of the travel industry and train operators for 90 years. Our rail expert teams provide technology solutions and customer care services to +15,000 partners in more than 70 countries. International travellers who want to travel by train easily throughout Europe can also book their travel directly through our state-of-the-art train booking website and app. Our catalogue of products focuses on 200 rail providers such as SNCF, SBB, Eurostar, Trenitalia, Italo, DB, Renfe, ÖBB, SNCB, NS, OUIGO Spain and National Rail, and rail passes including the Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail Passes. We sell around 5 million European train tickets every year. Our offices are around the globe and we are headquartered in Paris.
About iryo
iryo is Spain's leading private high-speed rail operator by number of frequencies and fleet volume and is owned by partners Trenitalia, Air Nostrum and Globalvia. The company started operations in 2022 with the only fleet of new trains on the market: in its first phase, 20 state-of-the-art units manufactured by Hitachi Rail-Alstom Group in which it has invested 800 million euros. The company won package B - the second with the second highest number of frequencies after the one awarded to Renfe - in the tender launched by ADIF in November 2019 for the liberalization of rail transport in Spain. iryo is led by Carlos Bertomeu, President; and Simone Gorini, CEO.
For more information, visit www.iryo.eu
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