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Train cancellations and advance tickets

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katiiiiie

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21 May 2015
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Hello :D

This might sound a bit complicated so I apologise in advance.

I get the train from Manchester Piccadilly to Edinburgh Waverly quite often, but I usually get the 20:16 train as I suffer with pretty bad social anxiety disorder and the trains beforehand are usually really busy. I booked the train for this Friday but whilst booking couldn't see an option for the 20:16 train, so booked for the earlier (and much busier) 18:16 train. Can I also add, that the 20:16 train was available but I didn't see this until after I'd booked the ticket. :(

As Manchester Piccadilly is the second stop, after booking the Advance ticket for the 18:16 train I decided I would get the train from the first stop at Manchester Airport and buy a ticket from there to Piccadilly, then use my normal ticket for the rest of the journey. Manchester Airport is less busy and would mean I could find my seat easily rather than get on with a rush of people at Piccadilly.

However, in the past I've not had great experiences getting the train from Manchester Airport. I find it is usually cancelled and they make you rush to Piccadilly to catch it. Last time, I missed it by 2 minutes and they allowed me to get the next train (20:16) instead. I had an Anytime open return ticket last time.

My question is, if the train got cancelled again at Manchester Airport and I was not able to catch it from Piccadilly, would I have to buy a new ticket or would they let me travel on the next train? I ask this as I would have two seperate tickets, one to Piccadilly from the Airport and another from Piccadilly to Edinburgh.

Sorry if I have confused anyone and gone into too much detail! Haha, thank you. I appreciate all replies.
 
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yorkie

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Welcome to the forum :)
My question is, if the train got cancelled again at Manchester Airport and I was not able to catch it from Piccadilly, would I have to buy a new ticket or would they let me travel on the next train? I ask this as I would have two seperate tickets, one to Piccadilly from the Airport and another from Piccadilly to Edinburgh.
You will be compensated for the delay (100% of the cost of your entire journey for a delay of an hour or more) in line with TPE's Passengers Charter, and obviously TPE will not be trying to get out of their contractual obligation to get you to your destination, so you needn't worry!

The fact two or more tickets is held for one journey doesn't make any difference at all.
 

katiiiiie

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Welcome to the forum :)

You will be compensated for the delay (100% of the cost of your entire journey for a delay of an hour or more) in line with TPE's Passengers Charter, and obviously TPE will not be trying to get out of their contractual obligation to get you to your destination, so you needn't worry!

The fact two or more tickets is held for one journey doesn't make any difference at all.

Hello, thank you for your reply :)

I was just a bit confused considering this is the first time I have got an advance ticket. The last time my train was cancelled from the Airport I caught the next direct train from Piccadilly so hopefully if anything goes wrong at the Airport again this time I will be able to just go to Piccadilly and get the next direct train. Thank you!
 

Starmill

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You may want to ensure you have your Manchester Airport to Manchester CTLZ (as it will be) single as soon as possible, maybe buy online and collect at the Airport - although not strictly necessary it should help if there's a problem. You shouldn't find it usually cancelled, although of course that could happen.
 

Adam0984

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Also b at the airport in plenty of time that way if it does say cancelled you can jump on a much earlier train to Man Pic and have a much better chance of connecting
 

Tetchytyke

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Have you considered booking assistance at Piccadilly station? Disabled passengers can ask for help getting on and off trains, and a severe social phobia/anxiety would definitely fit in that category?
 

katiiiiie

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You may want to ensure you have your Manchester Airport to Manchester CTLZ (as it will be) single as soon as possible, maybe buy online and collect at the Airport - although not strictly necessary it should help if there's a problem. You shouldn't find it usually cancelled, although of course that could happen.

I was planning on buying it tonight and collecting at the station tomorrow. Two out of three times I've got it from the Airport it has been cancelled so I'm just preparing for the worst :)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also b at the airport in plenty of time that way if it does say cancelled you can jump on a much earlier train to Man Pic and have a much better chance of connecting

I'm always there early I am a pretty prepared person in general but last time it was cancelled it was cancelled literally 10 minutes before it was due to leave.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Have you considered booking assistance at Piccadilly station? Disabled passengers can ask for help getting on and off trains, and a severe social phobia/anxiety would definitely fit in that category?

I didn't know this would be available to me, but it would still be really busy when I was getting on the train. I have been trying to do things by myself in terms of the social anxiety so it helps to deal with it, this time last year I couldn't get on a bus by myself so I have come pretty far :) Just trying to make it easier and less stressful by getting on at the first stop :oops:
 

Chouette

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Have you considered booking assistance at Piccadilly station? Disabled passengers can ask for help getting on and off trains, and a severe social phobia/anxiety would definitely fit in that category?
When I booked assistance for a friend at Piccadilly we were corralled into a little area on the concourse and made to wait there until our train arrived. Not ideal for someone in the OP's position.
 

gray1404

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I can tell you are worried too about the train being canceled at the airport. Would it perhaps be less stressful just to get on the one train at Piccadilly? Maybe you can tell youself once your in your seat - which is a reserved seat as you have an Advance ticket - then your fine. So it is just the boarding the train you need to do.

Personally, I let everyone else board a train if there is a lot of people and for them to get into their seats. I get on last and stand by the door on board the train. Then, when the train is pulling out of the station and people are more settled. I then go and sit in my reserved seat because I know it will be there for me.

You could also book assistance too. Network Rail staff are really good at helping passengers with things like Autism (I'm not saying you have this but this is what I have experience of helping people with in relation to rail travel) and I can fully understand the things that worry you.

If you did want to book asssitance you can speak to TPE Customer Relations in the morning. Just call national rail and ask them to put you through. TPE were really nice on the phone last time I phoned them. I am sure they will still be able to provide the help getting on and off the train and taking you to the platform and may also be able to show you do your seat (possibly) if you call in the morning then that gives them the day to sort it out. They will ask you get to the station so many minutes before you departure and report to a customer assistance point, they'll have a note of your name.

I know there are other ways to book but I've suggested this as its same day travel as booking.

You just do what you think is best.
 

yorkie

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....I then go and sit in my reserved seat because I know it will be there for me.
Your experience of TPE is different to mine! Reservations are regularly not put out on the routes that actually cross the Pennines. Maybe it's different on the route to Scotland?

If I want a guaranteed seat, I try to do what the OP is doing: board at the origin if possible.

On the plus side, TPE will offer compensation if there are no reservations and no alternative seats are available.
 

gray1404

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Most of the TPEs I board start a LIV so maybe they are just better at placing reservations on seats.
 
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185143

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yorkie:2176293 said:
....I then go and sit in my reserved seat because I know it will be there for me.
Your experience of TPE is different to mine! Reservations are regularly not put out on the routes that actually cross the Pennines. Maybe it's different on the route to Scotland?

If I want a guaranteed seat, I try to do what the OP is doing: board at the origin if possible.

On the plus side, TPE will offer compensation if there are no reservations and no alternative seats are available.
I'm siding with you there! Every time I've boarded a TPE train with a seat reservation (apart from 1), there has either been someone sat in my seat and/or no reservations placed. Happened around 8/10 times now and getting ridiculous!
 

Merseysider

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Instead of waiting for the next direct train from the Airport/Piccadilly in the event of a cancellation/disruption, you should check with staff/check online if there is a connection available at Preston and ask if you can travel on those trains. This might get you there quicker.
 

katiiiiie

Member
Joined
21 May 2015
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5
I can tell you are worried too about the train being canceled at the airport. Would it perhaps be less stressful just to get on the one train at Piccadilly? Maybe you can tell youself once your in your seat - which is a reserved seat as you have an Advance ticket - then your fine. So it is just the boarding the train you need to do.

Personally, I let everyone else board a train if there is a lot of people and for them to get into their seats. I get on last and stand by the door on board the train. Then, when the train is pulling out of the station and people are more settled. I then go and sit in my reserved seat because I know it will be there for me.

You could also book assistance too. Network Rail staff are really good at helping passengers with things like Autism (I'm not saying you have this but this is what I have experience of helping people with in relation to rail travel) and I can fully understand the things that worry you.

If you did want to book asssitance you can speak to TPE Customer Relations in the morning. Just call national rail and ask them to put you through. TPE were really nice on the phone last time I phoned them. I am sure they will still be able to provide the help getting on and off the train and taking you to the platform and may also be able to show you do your seat (possibly) if you call in the morning then that gives them the day to sort it out. They will ask you get to the station so many minutes before you departure and report to a customer assistance point, they'll have a note of your name.

I know there are other ways to book but I've suggested this as its same day travel as booking.

You just do what you think is best.

Hello, thank you for replying :)

I think it would be best I get on at the Airport as although I have reserved a seat, I am worried in case somebody sits there and I have to ask them to get up. It sounds kinda stupid that I worry about things like this but in the past there was a group of men sat on a table where I was meant to be sitting who refused to get up and let me sit down, so it has kinda prevented me from asking. When I get on at Piccadilly it is a battle to even get on the train let alone get a seat, so I can imagine someone would sit in my reservation. I'm also too much of a nice person and would probably feel sorry for them if I made them move and just end up letting them sit there :lol:
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Your experience of TPE is different to mine! Reservations are regularly not put out on the routes that actually cross the Pennines. Maybe it's different on the route to Scotland?

If I want a guaranteed seat, I try to do what the OP is doing: board at the origin if possible.

On the plus side, TPE will offer compensation if there are no reservations and no alternative seats are available.

I agree, half the time the reservations aren't set out on the Manchester to Edinburgh train.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Instead of waiting for the next direct train from the Airport/Piccadilly in the event of a cancellation/disruption, you should check with staff/check online if there is a connection available at Preston and ask if you can travel on those trains. This might get you there quicker.

I'm not too bothered the time I arrive at as long as I get there :lol: I am getting picked up at Edinburgh so I'd just prefer to get a direct train there rather than getting on and off them :)
 

MikeWh

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How did you get on then? You might have arrived in Scotland about now.

It may be somewhat harsh to expect a non-enthusiast to consider updating an internet forum as the most important thing to do.;)
 

katiiiiie

Member
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21 May 2015
Messages
5
Hi everyone :)

The train was fine, got on at the Airport and although it got pretty busy at Piccadilly the journey was good. There was a delay of about 10 minutes on the train but nothing major and I got into Edinburgh on time.

Thank you for all your help and for reassuring me haha! I will most likely be back on here posting another question sometime soon :roll:
 
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