Now the ferry operator offers more than “just transport”
The ticketing platform experts at Expian have changed the way ferry operators transform their booking technology. Working with P&O Ferries, the award-winning developers have designed and deployed a ticketing platform in record-breaking time. Expian delivered a market-ready booking solution within months rather than the years it takes most operators in the leisure and tourism sector.
Traditional technology rollouts in the leisure and tourism sector typically take years. Recognising this obstacle, P&O Ferries partnered with Expian to implement a rapid, market-ready booking solution that serves both consumers and trade partners and could keep pace with business needs. The result is an industry record: Expian successfully developed and implemented a new booking platform for P&O Ferries’ Hull to Rotterdam service in just six months. This remarkable speed follows the successful deployment of the Irish Sea route, Larne to Cairnryan, last year, cementing Expian’s reputation for rapid, reliable delivery.
Key features
To develop a platform that delivered commercially – maximising revenue and optimising operations – Expian worked closely with the key stakeholders and teams within P&O Ferries. With a modern, web-based ticketing solution designed specifically for large-scale operators, Expian was able to rapidly set up a new platform that replaced legacy software and integrates seamlessly with existing systems. It also supports booking for a range of standard, off-peak, return and flexible tickets across the sailing schedule. The system powers smart upsells including upgrades, food & beverage packages, transfers, overnight cabins and a limited number of pet-friendly cabins. It transforms booking into the first stage of customer engagement. As well as introducing additional revenue opportunities, these products presented complex booking rules including pet surcharges, cabin limits and document checks.
Expian’s capacity management tools and integration with self-service ticketing machines also speeds up boarding for both passengers and vehicles. For the Hull–Rotterdam route, the system automatically enforces pet check-in rules and documentation requirements, giving staff clear oversight and ensuring passengers travel stress-free.
Fostering customer loyalty
Engagement doesn’t end at disembarkation. P&O Ferries’ platform runs personalised promotions and loyalty programs that keep passengers coming back. Pet-cabin travellers can be targeted with early-bird offers for future sailings, while frequent travellers receive tailored discounts.
The result: a powerful, easy-to-use booking platform that serves both consumers and trade partners delivered in a matter of months rather than the drawn-out rollouts typical of competitors. Passengers enjoy a smooth journey from booking to boarding and beyond, while P&O Ferries benefits from flexible rules that maximise revenue, allow scalability and ensure compliance, without slowing down innovation.
Kenneth Rasmussen, P&O’s Head of IT Transformation, says: “A significant factor in the success of this project is that what Expian has delivered is aligned with our business needs… Expian’s deep understanding of the ferry business has been good, achieving these positive outcomes.”
Yiannis Maglaras, CEO at Expian, explains: “Today’s consumers expect seamless online booking, which offers personalised upgrades and the ability to quickly modify bookings as standard. Yet many ferry operators drag their heels over the digital transformation required to deliver great booking solutions and even greater profits. Expian’s “Ticketing without limits” approach, aims to unlock revenue generation from upgrades, personalised experiences and extras while managing ticketing across timetables, vehicle and foot passenger crossings and multiple vessels.
“Deliberation, disruption and downtime are the most common reasons to delay digital transformation. But delays come at a huge cost – both financially and operationally. Every day with a creaking system, operators are missing out on revenue that could be made by selling upgrades and add-ons and losing hours spent managing booking enquiries, creating sales reports and reviewing the data to optimise booking trends.”
Expian is offering ferry & tour operators the chance to discuss how their ticketing can deliver more for free. Visit the new website, expian.io to get in touch.
