Moderator note: Split from
I'd love to use the train and certainly dont want to lose them, but at the end of the day ( as a key worker) I'm no good to anyone if I've contracted a virus travelling in a crowded environment so its car for me for the foreseeable future. Yes I can catch it anywhere else but given I do have a choice I'll exercise caution. But I feel for those who have no choice but to travel by train and sometimes at short notice. They do need a walk up system and reservation free travel as plans change and not everyone has internet eg a lot of
elderly people.
LNER Considering Requiring Passengers to Check-in Before Travel
Those passengers want to book an InterCity journey like a plane or coach. They don't want the complexity of Permitted Routes, TOC restrictions etc. The presence of Advance tickets caters for this market.
www.railforums.co.uk
There have been reports of over-zealous responses, but when I use that phrase I don't limit it to railway staff but expand it to BTP & even the public.
And whilst I'm sure far quieter trains is a lovely experience, its not sustainable, nor frankly is it desirable under a Conservative government that will soon be looking for deep public spending cuts. The sight of half or more empty Azumas whizzing up and down the ECML will soon get the attention of the Civil Servants that will be tasked to make savings, especially as LNER is a government owned company.
So one of two things will happen, either ticket prices will shoot up, or LNER will start a period of "restructuring" their network, trimming off service after service because they are no longer financially viable. Its a classic case of be careful what you wish for. So my suggestion is enjoy it while you can, because they will either have to start putting fare paying punters in those empty seats, or there won't be as many trains with seats for you to choose from.
I'd love to use the train and certainly dont want to lose them, but at the end of the day ( as a key worker) I'm no good to anyone if I've contracted a virus travelling in a crowded environment so its car for me for the foreseeable future. Yes I can catch it anywhere else but given I do have a choice I'll exercise caution. But I feel for those who have no choice but to travel by train and sometimes at short notice. They do need a walk up system and reservation free travel as plans change and not everyone has internet eg a lot of
elderly people.
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