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Post by sibodkent on May 12, 2009 15:05:26 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/8045270.stmAccording to the article, National Express are going to charge customers an extra £2.50 per leg of their journey to reserve a seat. In principle, this is no different to the continental services I've used, but considering their service is already the highest cost in Europe, surely this is yet another excuse to claw back even more profit? How long until SET introduce this on their own services??
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Post by jumpedup on May 12, 2009 15:08:58 GMT
Probably a while. There are no facilities on any southeastern train to reserve seats so it's a no-goer here. But on the east coast mainline it is an effective price rise as most 'useful' trains are full so you need to book to get a seat.
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Post by chapelwood on May 12, 2009 16:11:27 GMT
How long until SET introduce this on their own services?? It has not been possible to reserve seats on routes now operated by Southeastern since 1976. The charge was then 30 pence per seat; seat reservations were only possible on a few routes (Ramsgate to Victoria and Charing Cross, for example) and never on peak trains. Chapelwood |
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Post by O.V.S.Bulleid on May 12, 2009 18:20:39 GMT
It is technically possible for GoVex to charge for seat reservations as all train companies use the same central reservation system known as NRS.
Trains have to have numbered seats so it cannot work unless the rolling stock used has this change made.
Given that there will be fewer seats on offer for Victoria during peak periods, one can imagine that seat reservations will probably need to pass through their minds when PIXC requirements are broken on the first day.
As far as National Express is concerned it is per train travelled so if you have what they call a "walk-on" fare you do not have to reserve - until they start counting people joining at Kings Cross (but how will it work coming to London when the actual number of passengers on board isn't known?). If you are on an advance purchase ticket then there might be a problem with the Advertising Standards people unless the cost of reservations is also advertised.
It's all becoming familiar isn't it - fleece the passengers....
My tip - go via East Midlands Trains then change to Arriva Cross Country further north.
Yours sincerely
O.V.S.Bulleid
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Post by greenicing on May 13, 2009 10:24:04 GMT
I wonder what happens when the old lady who has paid extra for a reserved seat finds an aggressive yob sitting in her place?
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Post by heofgreatwisdom on May 13, 2009 21:35:46 GMT
You mean after she has clouted him with her handbag, smashed him over the head with her walking stick and kicked him in the unmentionables. My guess is she will open her flask and have a soothing cuppa!!!
HOGW
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