Alaska Railroad successfully upgrades to the latest version of Rail Studio
After months of planning and preparation, Open Destinations’ inventory and reservation management platform, Rail Studio, has been successfully upgraded for Alaska Railroad. This upgrade aims to enhance the rail travel booking process, benefiting the railroad and its passengers.
Operating all year round, the Alaska Railroad serves approximately half a million passengers annually, transporting them from Anchorage to a range of captivating destinations, including Denali National Park and the Kenai Peninsula. For the past 10 years, Alaska Railroad has collaborated with Open Destinations, utilising the Rail Studio platform to deliver seamless booking experiences and powering staff to manage schedules, services, and other operational aspects efficiently.
With enhanced features and improved performance in the latest version of Rail Studio, the Alaska Railroad team worked with Travel Technology partner, Open Destinations to implement the upgrade. The solution incorporates the latest technology stacks and introduces new features, facilitating a smoother user experience for the railroad and its passengers whilst limiting any impacts on day-to-day bookings. The programme was launched recognising the need for minimal undue disruption to Alaska Railroad’s day-to-day working practices and passenger ticket sales.
Senior Implementation Consultant, Liesel Conrad, said, “Alaska Railroad’s idyllic train rides are known globally, with passengers expecting inspiring trips and seamless bookings and boarding. With greater demands for speed and performance, the latest Rail Studio release helps rail operators to continue relying on our platforms. We’ve been a close partner with Alaska Railroad’s IT team, which meant we understood the business and the risks and could plan a dependable implementation.”
The successful completion of this project marks a significant step forward for the Alaska Railroad by future-proofing its reservation system while providing exceptional rail experiences for its passengers.
Robert Russell, Manager of Res & Ticketing, said: “The impact on my staff has been nothing short of amazing. Service availability has been mentioned on a daily basis as to what has impacted them most.”
“We are beyond excited to explore opportunities the new system has so that we can continue to streamline our processes and procedures and find new ways of supporting the needs of our employees and customers. The ODL team has been so supportive through this transition. 24-hour/7 days a week service during the implementation process was substantially helpful, and for that, we are grateful.”
Rail Studio offers more than just ticketing functionality; it also caters to Alaska’s diverse selection of unique day trips and excursions. From witnessing black and brown bears in the untamed wilderness of Anchorage to experiencing the exhilaration of zip-lining over the breathtaking tundra in Denali, Rail Studio provides comprehensive support for these unique adventures.
If you want to learn more about how Rail Studio can help your rail travel business, contact Open Destinations for more information.
