Rail tech company secures £111k NatWest funding for service disruption app

A London rail technology startup has received a six figure funding package to launch an app for railway operators.

JNCTION has secured £111k in financing from NatWest bank to launch its Decision Support Tool, which is designed to help minimise service disruption.

The app will help train operators across the UK to react quickly to day-to-day service disruptions by using the programme’s AI and machine learning technology to suggest the best way to return services to the normal timetable.

The Decision Support Tool will virtually assist control teams to reliably move trains to where they are needed, reduce the impact of late running services and improve passenger satisfaction.

One operator is already trialling the app during the current lockdown, with the view to adopting it once regular services are back up and running.

JNCTION is run by the team at Artonezero, a B2B digital and technical solutions agency.

The company has already developed a number of apps to improve rail services for both operators and customers including Aubin, a journey planner app for autistic people.

Mike Lloyd, CEO of JNCTION, commented: “With the costs of our staff, consultants and overheads to pay upfront at the start of the project, we wouldn’t have been able to launch the app without the support from NatWest.

“Major train operators are already trialling the app and we hope to help more companies deliver a more punctual service and improve passenger satisfaction in the future.”

David Parker, NatWest relationship manager, added: “The tool Mike and his team have developed will help the rail industry to significantly improve operations and I look forward to seeing JNCTION increase the number of users across the industry.”