Two leading companies say a four-step approach is vital in order to achieve considerable cost savings in rail travel.

Leading online rail retailer thetrainline.com and global risk advisor and the World's leading insurance broker Marsh say a strong working partnership, an efficient booking tool, smarter buying techniques and a robust travel policy is needed to significantly drive down the spend on train travel.

This approach has enabled Marsh to achieve 57% savings on its purchase of rail tickets between February and July 2009* alone, and reduce its average ticket price by 33% over the four years its rail service has been managed through thetrainline.com.

To keep the spend down and savings up Marsh's company travel policy encourages train bookers to buy smarter through purchasing advanced tickets, comparing the cost of singles over returns, selecting specific times and dates to travel, travelling off-peak where possible and taking advantage of the money saving options on the Self Book Tool.

Lynne Lawrence, MMC UK Travel Director says "Our proactive approach with thetrainline.com has enabled us to reduce the average ticket price every year. We have actively driven a 'best practice' strategy, regularly communicating with colleagues about smart buying techniques, and this, combined with the easy-to-use Self-Book Tool is clearly leading to smarter buying as 61% of all tickets booked last month were advanced tickets. We are actively monitoring our buying behaviour and identifying further opportunities to deliver savings to the business."

Marsh's rail travellers use Self Book Tool not only to find the cheapest available fare for a specific journey but also to access Best Fare Finder, Ticket Alert, Savings Calculator and a Carbon Calculator.

Clare Morrissey, head of corporate account management, said: "thetrainline.com has been actively managing Marsh's rail account for over four years and in that time the relationship has gone from strength to strength - along with the savings achieved. We have a collaborative approach and a clear long term vision which has delivered an effective and successful rail solution to our client."

* compared to travellers buying at the station.

Ends

For further information please contact: Rebecca Salter, PR manager at thetrainline.com on 0203 128 2234 or email rebecca.salter@thetrainline.com

About thetrainline.com thetrainline.com is the leading UK rail ticket retailer and rail ticket information provider, offering fast and easy access to timetables, fares, reservations and tickets through its Internet site and contact centre operations in the UK train travel sector. In addition to its own website, www.thetrainline.com, it operates retail websites for 15 Train Operating Companies who sell rail tickets online, as well as providing a rail business travel service direct to a number of blue chip corporations and travel agents.