July 20, 2007KIOSKS Case Study -- ticketing travel kiosks for AmtrakArticle on new Quick-Trak machines going into new locations for Amtrak. Looks like 300 machines in 150 stations. The new machines have upgraded touchscreens and are ADA-compliant. There is a nice link on the Amtrak site that goes thru the entire ticketing process (which starts on the web with the customer buying their ticket). FULL ARTICLE -- Seacoastonline.com: Amtrak upgrades self-service ticket sales Amtrak upgrades self-service ticket sales July 18, 2007 6:00 AM EXETER — Amtrak recently announced that a number of Seacoast stations featuring the Quik-Trak system will see a new version of the self-service ticketing machine. The new machines feature upgraded touch screens and brighter graphics and are ADA-compliant, with the goal of being more user-friendly for passengers with disabilities. Right now the Downeaster stations in Exeter, Durham, Dover and Wells, Maine, have Quik-Trak machines. In Exeter, they are operational from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. In Durham, the machines can be accessed between the hours of 6 a.m. and midnight, Monday through Friday; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday; and 10 a.m. to midnight on Sunday. For an online Quik-Trak demonstration and a complete list of stations that feature the machines, please see the "Stations" section on Amtrak.com. For schedules, fares and information, passengers may call (800) 872-7245 or visit Amtrak.com. The machines at the Dover station are functional from 4 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Quik-Trak machines are operational all day, seven days a week, in Wells. Quik-Trak machines allow passengers to purchase and print tickets and bypass long lines at ticket counters. They are Amtrak's most cost-efficient booking and ticketing channel, generating 31 percent of all tickets issued. When installation is complete, the number of machines available will increase from 176 machines in 67 stations to more than 300 machines in 150 stations. Customers will see a combination of old and new Quik-Trak machines as installation of the new machines continues through the summer. "These new machines make purchasing or ticketing a reservation even more convenient," said Michael Toczylowski, Amtrak's director of sales distribution support. "The enhanced interface allows for an even quicker transaction to speed the customer on their way." Quik-Trak machines allow passengers to pick up tickets already booked and paid for online or over the phone, or if a passenger is running late, tickets may also be purchased at a Quik-Trak machine just before boarding. When coupled with Amtrak's online reservations system, available at Amtrak.com, Quik-Trak gives passengers complete control over ticket purchase from start to finish. The new version of the Quik-Trak electronic ticketing machine was recently named a KioskCom Self-Service Expo Excellence Award winner. The award, judged by a panel of experts in the self-service and kiosk industry, was presented in the Best Travel/Hospitality deployment category. Amtrak provides intercity passenger rail service to more than 500 destinations in 46 states on a 21,000-mile route system. Note: The Amtrak ticketing kiosks are provided by KIOSK Information Systems and SITA. Posted by staff at July 20, 2007 07:57 AM |