just a point, what is the position on reserved seats, before covid i used the trains often, and 7 out of 10 journeys no seat reservations were indicated, so what happens if someone comes and says "this is my reserved seat". On a lightly used service there were options, but if its full, what happens then?
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Avanti West Coast cancellations
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Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
There is no standard position. Some TOCs tend towards "if not shown they don't apply" (e.g. GWR), whereas some tend towards "they apply regardless" (e.g. XC, LNER, Avanti).
My opinion is that not displayed = not valid - many guards and TMs are of the same view, and often announce that there are no reservations on the service (which helps back up your point). Could always try and find the guard (although I know this is easier said than done when there are loads of cancellations and the train is full and standing.) - I have this opinion regardless of whether it is to my detriment or not, as there have been times that my seat has been taken but the reservations have not been displayed, and I have not tried to claim my seat in this instance. I think it creates too much trouble to be not displayed but still valid.
Some companies allow you to claim money back for journeys where you have not been able to get your reserved seat (I have done this from GWR before without a ticket endorsement).
Geezertronic
Established Member
My guess is the "many business" you refer to do not have staff that operate in safety critical roles like the railway does. You cannot just employ a part time train driver without them going through the same training process as a full time train driver for example
Iskra
Established Member
Agreed, but it might entice a few out of retirement or those who are considering quitting might take that option instead.
Recently the way this has been handled on some trains I've been on is that if reservations are not showing at initial departure there will be an announcement instructing those with reservations to occupy the seats they have reserved.
My assumption has been that this is done with a view that it minimises disputes.
In which case it should also be made clear that from then on it is a free-for all. It may be a good idea while people are settling in at the terminus, but you cannot have walk-up passengers (who will have paid top whack and will not have a reservation) being repeatedly turfed out of whatever seat they have found unoccupied, which has happened to me.
ARIC
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I'd assume the problem TOCs would have is that a part time worker would cost more per hour than a full time one, and most likely more than a full time worker on overtime receiving enhanced pay.
If a business offers a good pension, uniform, continuous training and assessments and other benefits, they'll want the lowest headcount possible!
LYuen
Member
Probably good enough to have an early retirement, why not?
dk1
Veteran Member
That would all have to be agreed with ASLEF as per local depot agreements. At mine for example apart from I'll health or family friendly, no part time working is permitted at all only job share where both drivers have to work strictly as single entity.
Trainbike46
Established Member
If I understand this correctly, in jobshare the two drivers cannot work at the same time, right? doesn't that make diagramming more complex? Can I ask why it is this way?
the sniper
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Not really, for example, where there's a four day week, one person will do the first two days, the other will do the second two. As dk1 said, two people just act as one entity.
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ScottGallagher
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Are we now in Connex territory with this shower? We know how that ended up....
dk1
Veteran Member
They must in no way gain anything extra from being seperate drivers & that includes promotion. They must take the position of the least senior of the two..also for example 12hrs rest must be had for driver B even though driver A covered the previous shift. They also have the same rest day & Sunday count. Should either leave the job share the other has 3 months to find another or must go back to full time hours.
Trainbike46
Established Member
Thank you for explaining. Why is it set up like this, instead of other types of part-time employment?
dk1
Veteran Member
To protect the interests of other drivers.
Trainbike46
Established Member
Thanks for explaining, that makes sense!
Good afternoon everyone, I am new to the forum. Avanti have 'forced' me to join !
I have a ticket and seat reservation for London - Preston Thursday morning next week. I received an email from Avanti that the train has been cancelled, they offered me a refund or to use another service where of course I would have no seat reservation. They said were there would be extra non reserved carriages on these trains. My concern is lots of people are in the same situation as myself and these non reserved carriages are going to be too full resulting in standing or refused boarding - does anyone know if this is likely ? Or is it impossible to say how busy the trains from Euston will be next Thursday morning ?
I have a ticket and seat reservation for London - Preston Thursday morning next week. I received an email from Avanti that the train has been cancelled, they offered me a refund or to use another service where of course I would have no seat reservation. They said were there would be extra non reserved carriages on these trains. My concern is lots of people are in the same situation as myself and these non reserved carriages are going to be too full resulting in standing or refused boarding - does anyone know if this is likely ? Or is it impossible to say how busy the trains from Euston will be next Thursday morning ?
Trainbike46
Established Member
you could try to amend your seat reservation, for peace of mind, as described on this page: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/travel-information/onboard/seat-picker, though no clue if that would work
I'd say you will probably be fine, as Avanti have been quite successful and dissuading people from booking onto their services, but others on this thread may be able to give a better idea. Then again, I'm very much a "just try it and hope for the best" person
I'd say you will probably be fine, as Avanti have been quite successful and dissuading people from booking onto their services, but others on this thread may be able to give a better idea. Then again, I'm very much a "just try it and hope for the best" person
nlogax
Established Member
Welcome!
Tbh it's the same advice I'd give anyone planning to travel on Avanti without a reservation even at the best of times. Be at Euston at least thirty minutes before departure, arm yourself with RealTimeTrains' site on your phone checking for platform info so you can stand at the right ramp as soon as it's confirmed. Then you have a very decent chance of a good seat in an unreserved coach.
No, that franchise was terminated due to accounting irregularities, at least that’s the official reason
dk1
Veteran Member
No problem
thanks Trainbike46 it appears I can amend my booking to a service that is actually running (I assume that comes with a seat reservation) but I have to pay the price difference between what I paid originally and what the price is now. whilst the price difference isn't huge I just can't bring myself to pay any more to reward Avanti for their incompetence.
nlogax thanks I will do that.
I went through the same process. Yes, the new ticket comes with a seat reservation (and the ability to pick as per normal if using the Avanti app/website) but you have to pay the full anytime fare as they have binned advanced tickets. Quite annoying!
Trainbike46
Established Member
Then it seems like @nlogax advice is much more helpful!
ScottGallagher
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I just meant in the reputational sense, similar staff alienation tactics as well.
The culture is very adversarial, but that doesn’t generally translate to personal animosity between staff and their immediate line managers, in my experience. Albeit that varies by location!
Yes, certainly for those who are fit and able to make the train dash. I am old and have dodgy knees and so, regrettably, Avanti got the extra cash from me
If the new trains are open in the timetable than any ticket office should be able to make reservations for you, even if Avanti's contact centre staff have been instructed not to. Nobody should be having to buy new or upgraded tickets simply to make a reservation on a train that, for all effective purposes, they already hold a ticket for.
There are long running threads under General Discussion entitled ‘When will it all go wrong for the Tories / Johnson’ and similar ones for Labour, Greens and quite possibly others.
The whole current Avanti Up Cock Situation begs the question whether there is a ‘When did it all go wrong for Avanti’ thread or is this it and will Avanti just be cancelled full stop?
PS Other badly performing franchises are available but they don’t necessarily cover the parts of the country you want to travel to.
The whole current Avanti Up Cock Situation begs the question whether there is a ‘When did it all go wrong for Avanti’ thread or is this it and will Avanti just be cancelled full stop?
PS Other badly performing franchises are available but they don’t necessarily cover the parts of the country you want to travel to.
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