LD Lines ferry operator introduces self check in for foot passengers

To reduce the amount of queuing at the ferry ports in Portsmouth and Le Havre, LD Lines has introduced a self check in service for foot passengers on their Portsmouth to Le Havre service. LD Lines is the first ferry operator in the UK to introduce such a service.

The simple to navigate touch screen self check in machine will enable foot passengers to scan their passport and retrieve their ticket. Foot passengers will soon have the option to purchase tickets from the machines and even amend bookings.

Foot passengers still have the option of checking in using the traditional methods, but LD Lines is confident that travellers will favour the quicker and more convenient self check in method.

Frequent foot passengers will soon be provided with a reusable personal card, which will make the self check in procedure even quicker and more efficient. This second phase should be in place by September 2010.

By July a self check in system for vehicles will be in place at the Portsmouth and Le Havre ferry terminals. A camera will read the number plate and retrieve the driver's booking details, while a laser scanner will detect the vehicle's height and length and compare it to the measurements that were given at the time of booking. There will also be an intercom system in place should the driver have any queries or run into difficulty.

LD Lines will aim to have self check in services at all their ferry terminals in the near future. The self check in machines have come at the perfect time. More travellers have been seeking alternative travel methods in the wake of the volcanic ash incident in April which led to the closure of UK airspace for a number of days. Travelling by ferry cuts out longs hours of waiting at the airport, and it's also a great option if you want to take your own car abroad.

If you are travelling abroad by ferry, don't forget that you will still need to buy travel insurance to cover the cost of lost luggage, travel delay or potentially high medical bills. Insurewithease.com has a range of affordable single trip and annual travel insurance policies available.

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