AgentWare, which specializes in aggregating airline content gone missing in the global distribution systems, teamed with SilverRail Technologies to begin offering rail-supplier inventory from the U.S. and Europe.
AgentWare's customers, including travel management companies, corporate booking tools, GDSs and online travel companies, will be able to search and book Amtrak, UK Rail and high-speed European rail inventory from SilverRail, the companies say.
"This is a key differentiator for customers that are increasingly requesting access to both air and rail content in a single search," says Gary Lagarde, the president and CEO of Atlanta-based AgentWare.
Some providers, such as Momondo, already are providing air and rail results in a single display.
AgentWare spokesman David Newman says the company hopes to begin offering SilverRail rail content beginning in the fourth quarter of 2010.
"The exact extent of integration between rail and air is being discussed internally as well as the commercial structure," Newman says.
Founded in 2009, SilverRail, with offices in London and Boston, says it values the AgentWare partnership because of its distribution opportunities.
"Most people are not aware that rail is experiencing a global transformation, driven in large part by high-speed train innovation, which now competes directly with air travel in Europe," says SilverRail CEO Aaron Gowell. "Partnerships like AgentWare allow high-speed carriers to sell their products in multiple countries in multiple currencies -- all through a single connection."
Gowell says SilverRail will connect with several high-speed rail suppliers in Europe and will have direct-connects to several suppliers.