iPhone Apps: Virgin Trains

Virgin's App is very similar to that of Chiltern's (not surprisingly as they have developers in common) but for some reason has failed to develop beyond its basic functionality.

The App page on the Virgin web site states:
Buy tickets on your iPhone, BlackBerry, Android, Nokia or Sony Ericsson anytime, anywhere, with just a few taps. Thanks to our free app. Search times and fares or buy tickets for any UK route up to 10 minutes before departure - without card charges or booking fees. Then collect them from a FastTicket machine at the station. That's what we call handy.

So the good things....

1. Very clear train times finder with the ability to buy tickets easily 

The not so good...

1. Support is via a 0844 number
2. External links are all web based
3. Times for Birmingham to London show only Virgin and Chiltern services (though some LondonMidland services are shown by searching for Birmingham New Street to London Euston)
4. Cannot add Virgin Flying Club number to purchase account

And the missing...

Just look at what LondonMidland and Chiltern have managed to offer on their Apps!