dave4jackie
Member
- Joined
- 4 Nov 2006
- Messages
- 157
why dont you go to your nearest staffed station and book your tickets there,all staffed stations can do most tickets on the railway network
why dont you go to your nearest staffed station and book your tickets there,all staffed stations can do most tickets on the railway network
But would they be happy to spend 10-15 minutes searching for the cheapest days/fares/times for me? I think if I went to a staffed station and wanted to check the fare to find which day was cheapest on about 10 different dates or times, both out and return, before making a decision what I wanted to book, they might just get a little p1ssed off! Personally, I'd rather spend 10 minutes looking up deals myself than waiting in a queue at a travel centre.
Also, on one occasion when I went to book an advance ticket, the staff member told me they only did 'tickets for immediate travel' at that time, and to come back after 08.00 (it was about 07.30 at the time). However, I had to be in work by then, so I went to work and booked the ticket online when I got there. Such customer-unfriendly attitudes hardly encourage people to travel.
Luckily I live within travelling distance of a major Virgin Trains station with booking facilities (Glasgow Central)
That is what I do
Today I have just booked a London - York First Class return for the Bank Holiday weekend, online for £54.90 compared to £75.10 for a Saver Return
Even with the GNER 10% discount, that's like a 73% discount!
I do agree, FC in Voyagers is pants now
I purposely avoid it now
FC in 390s, at weekends, is basic but well worth the discount as it is normally much quieter than it is mid-week
At-seat service is provided between Preston and London, by way of a trolley
However, it is subject to staffing availability and is only on specific trains!
Ironically, the Kitchen in Coach K is normally left open at weekends, so sometimes it is quicker to go to the Kitchen rather than the Shop, only needing to visit the shop for the hot drinks and obtaining permission to refill in the Kitchen!
I got "told off" by a RSM on the way back from Edinburgh, for asking for a hot chocolate, and not reminding her that I'm travelling FC. When she said £1.70, i asked her about it, and she said" You should always produce your ticket when getting complimentary items, or you'll get charged"
If the shop didn't have two other people behind me at the time, i would've had a go at her, for making an issue of it, and also the fact that i've had no problems with any other RSM's about it, and that she chucked away the bigger hot chocolate, and then re-made a far smaller cup for me. (That was a waste of instant hot chocolate & boiling water, wasn't it!!)
I never knew that we were "allowed" to refill drinks in the kitchen! If i did, i'd do that all the time, as there's always at least one person sat in FC, especially coach K, at weekends in uniform. I always wonder what there job title is, as I don't quite know what they do at weekends..
I'm surprised VT hasn't changed their website, to mention this limited offer between Preston & London at weekends, but I admit that I've only really been north of Preston at weekends, and south of it, towards London Euston, on weekday mornings.