TheTrainline.com confirms £75 million IPO

Rail ticket website Trainline confirmed the launch of its initial public offering (IPO) this morning.

Rail ticket website Thetrainline.com confirmed the launch of its initial public offering (IPO) this morning.

The company expects to receive proceeds of £75 million from the float.

The private equity-backed site hired investment bank Morgan Stanley in July last year, in the wake of last year’s flotation boom.

But after mixed performances from other technology stocks, it has held off a formal announcement of the stock market debut until today.

Ticket sales climbed to £1.42 billion in the financial year to March 2014.

Total transactions increased to £768 million in the 36 weeks to November 2014 to give earnings of £18.2 million.

The company attracted an average of 20.8 million visits per month for the 12 months ended November 8, 2014 across its consumer website and mobile apps.

Exponent Private Equity has owned the firm since 2006, when it paid Virgin £163 million for the business.

TheTrainline.com hired former eBay executive Clare Gilmartin as its CEO last summer, as it began looking into flotation options.

She said: “We are witnessing continued strong growth in rail and, having experienced first-hand the transformative effect of online and mobile in other e-commerce markets, I am hugely excited by the opportunity that the fast-developing online rail market offers.

“Trainline is the clear leader in the online rail ticket market in the UK and we believe that we are therefore well positioned to capitalise on mobile and e-ticketing, which are changing the way consumers plan and purchase travel.  In addition, we are seeking to leverage our considerable experience in the UK market to grow our presence in Europe.

“With a highly robust and scalable technology platform dedicated to online rail travel and a focus on customer-driven innovation at the heart of our strategy, we are well-placed to provide the most compelling online and mobile products for our customers in this growing market.

“I believe we have a great customer proposition as well as a proven track record of strong growth and profitability in our consumer and B2B businesses, and improving cash conversion, which gives us confidence that we can deliver value for shareholders just as we have delivered for our customers.”

Company chairman Douglas McCallum said: “Trainline has grown impressively since its formation in 1997 and has a proven track record of operational excellence and financial performance of which we are extremely proud.

“Led by an exceptional management team, it has become the leader in the online rail ticket market in the UK.

“With a strong basis for further growth, I am confident that Trainline, as a public company, will be able to capitalise on its achievements to date and continue to grow its business in the UK and Europe.”