Metronet Rail signs three year deal with Expotel

29th October 2007

It was announced today that Metronet Rail has signed a three year deal with Expotel, one of the UK's leading independent hotel booking, travel management and conference and event management agencies. Expotel will be undertaking all of Metronet Rail's business travel and conferencing and event requirements.

Metronet Rail is responsible for delivering a world-class, safe and reliable tube for London. They are transforming two-thirds of the world's first underground railway into a metro system expected of a capital city in the 21st century.

Expotel won this account through a tender process. Nick Sumption, Metronet's Senior Vice President for Procurement explains: "The Expotel tender was comprehensive and was subject to a thorough review by our evaluation team. We were very impressed with Expotel's responses to our requirements and their comprehensive knowledge.

"We chose Expotel primarily for their service offering. We have identified the need to streamline our processes here at Metronet Rail and the offering from Expotel will give us the ability to do this. Finally, Expotel has the ability to provide extremely competitive prices. We are very pleased to welcome them on board as our business travel supplier – we expect that this will be a very productive relationship," continues Nick.

"We are delighted to win this tender," says Anthony Coyle-Dowling, Expotel's Head of New Business. "This account is a prestigious new business win for Expotel and our team put a great deal of effort into making our bid a success. We have demonstrated to Metronet Rail that they would be best served by partnering with Expotel; and are very happy to have accomplished our aim."

The account will go live on 1st June 2007.

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For further information please contact:
Sharon Smith Expotel Press Office 020 7604 2765 ssmith@expotel.com M: 07771 833 856

About Metronet Rail:

Working in partnership with London Underground, Metronet has responsibility for renewing nine of the twelve lines on the entire network and will spend £17billion during its 30-year contract. Some £8billion of this is being spent during the first 7.5 years – on new trains, new track, new signalling and refurbished and modernised stations.

Metronet's shareholders consist of five world-class companies: Atkins, Balfour Beatty, Bombardier, EDF Energy and Thames Water. Metronet's business has a staff of some 5,250 people.