ELECTRONICS SPEED UP TICKETS

An electronic ticket delivery network with more than 200 printer locations has been established to speed up delivery of airline and rail tickets to business passengers with last-minute changes in travel plans.

Travel agents using the network - called QuikTix - can print tickets, boarding passes and trip itineraries round-the-clock at the site closest to their client, with deliveries then made directly to clients' hotel rooms, their homes or offices."Studies have shown that more than 50 percent of business travel includes a changed flight plan," said Nick Bredimus, president of QDAT (Quick Delivery Airline Tickets), which operates the network.

"Historically, business travelers have had little recourse but to wait in lines at airports if they needed new tickets. This, of course, means they've usually had to get to the airport early, wait in line to get a new boarding pass, and pay a prepaid ticket fee."