Travel Catering & Comfort Services: A passenger experience above the industry standard

On-board comfort is an important competitive factor in the rail industry. “Comfort services make the difference. They leave a lasting impression with passengers“, says Barbara Krüttner, export manager at Flamigni. The Italian company, a high-quality pastry producer since 1930, is exhibiting in the Travel Catering & Comfort Services (TCCS) thematic area, and in addition to its world-acclaimed panettone makes nougat confectionery and ‘Aperitivo Italiano’.

New concepts cater to higher passenger expectations

In Hall 1.1, the InnoTrans TCCS thematic area is displaying various products and services that help passengers enjoy their train journey in every way. Exhibits include food, coffeemakers, personal care products, sanitary articles, entertainment products, software solutions, galley equipment, trolleys, tableware, blankets and other passenger comforts.

“People are travelling less since Covid 19 but have higher expectations on such special occasions“, says Delphine Ehret, senior marketing manager and business developer at PaxLife Innovations GmbH. For most companies, it is a challenge to fulfil passengers’ expectations of on-board catering and digital services both swiftly and affordably, says Ehret.

Home-quality streaming service

That is why railSTACK, PaxLife Innovations’ proprietary on-board software platform, offers a new approach: any app that passengers or rail personnel could need is hosted directly on board. Whenever the mobile signal is unstable this integrated on-board cloud hosting platform offers app users a home-quality streaming service. Visitors can take part in a demo of the software platform on the stand of PaxLife Innovations GmbH. Delphine Ehret: “With its Travel Catering & Comfort Services thematic area, InnoTrans 2022 is definitely the trade fair that presents the latest software solutions for a passenger experience above the normal industry standard.“

At last, live on the grounds again

Exhibits include a thermoelectrically refrigerated catering trolley which is being jointly presented by Fraunhofer IPM, Siemens and Zech + Waibelt. Compared with the cooling solutions currently employed by bistros on board ICE trains, the novel refrigerated trolley consumes 85 per cent less energy. With its high-performance battery pack it can run for many hours, ensuring an uninterrupted cold chain even when the train is delayed. “Faced with such a disruptive product, our technically minded customers want to convince themselves of its advantages in person“, says Roland Binninger, the project manager at Fraunhofer IPM. “So we are delighted to be displaying our products at InnoTrans again, this year for the first time in the TCCS thematic area.“

Safety and sustainability are key topics

Jean-Guillaume Pollet, a partner of Bayart Innovations, reports high demand for eco-friendly solutions. The French company designs and markets passenger comfort products. Its aim is to improve the on-board experience for air passengers, while focusing on safety and sustainability. “Air passengers and transport companies want alternative materials that are not made from new plastic“, says Pollet. The products must be either from natural materials or recycled plastic.

Efficiency and resource-friendly

Hobart is a leading innovator in commercial dishwasher technology for whom hygiene has a high priority. “There are many ways to ensure maximum hygiene with a dishwasher “, says Stefan Pallas, head of Key Account Management D-A-CH. “High efficiency and resource-friendliness are top of our list. Our customers place great emphasis on this, particularly in these times of rising energy costs.“ Hobart is displaying various dishwashers which feature a SmartConnect app and are very easy to use. The drier integrated in the undercounter dishwashers helps prevent bacterial contamination of plastic containers. “We are delighted to be displaying our innovative and economical commercial dishwasher solutions for the first time – in particular the models approved for rail transport – and hope to be able to convince transport customers of our products“, says Stefan Pallas.

TCCS route offers a complete overview

The TCCS route offers a complete overview of the many exhibits in the Travel Catering & Comfort Services thematic area. Companies on the specially designed route are able to inform trade visitors directly about their highlights. Find out more about the themed route and exhibitors at https://www.innotrans.de/en/visitors/travel-catering-comfort-services/.