‘With the UK reporting passenger numbers being consistently at 80% of pre-Covid levels, rail travel is definitely coming back and we want travellers from New Zealand to once again enjoy all of the benefits that come from UK/European high speed train travel.’
www.rail.online

Venture capital firm invests in Rail Online

Rail Online has secured a major new shareholder, venture capital firm Dale Ventures, which has invested A$2.5 million to acquire a 20% stake in the online travel agent.

Dubai-based Dale Ventures is a personal investment holding group that partners with management teams to provide the strategic and analytic resources needed to drive growth and build long-term value.

Founder and chief executive Dale W. Wood says the company’s investment in Rail Online would enable the OTA to expand its operations in Australia, New Zealand and Europe, while also creating opportunities in North America.

‘The travel market has been waiting for a service like Rail Online since the advent of e-ticketing in the rail sector, and this is bolstered by pent up demand related to the pandemic,’ Wood says.

Rail Online chief executive James Dunne says the backing of Dale Ventures will support the company in its goal to become the world’s most frequently used travel app for rail and public transport.