With yesterday's derailment, appreciate there was disruption all over the place. But wondered at the logic, and moreover, appropriateness of staff at Glasgow Central Virgin - Euston yesterday afternoon. They were refusing passengers access to the service (14:36), claiming 'it was too busy', despite there being available seats.
I had an off-peak std return, with no seat reservation. Upon arriving at the platform with 8mins before departure, one of the Virgin cust svc reps said I couldn't board the train because I didn't have a seat reservation. I asked if the ticket was not valid, and he said it was, but because it was so busy he coudn't let me on. He said they'd cancelled other services, and this one was very busy. I said that I'd happily sit in the seats by the toilet, or in vestibule end. He quoted "it's all health and safety", and wouldn't allow me on it, but said the next one in an hour would likely have space, and if I hung around at the platform I'd get on it.
4 other passengers were also refused while I sat there, and the train had not yet departed. I assume there were some refusals before I turned up.
Another rep spoke to me apologetically, and I asked if it was a passenger train derailment, or what was happening to footy fans getting to Wembley etc. Small talk. He then said "Are you on your own? Come on, let's get you on it". I said I was happy to sit by the toilets etc., and he said "don't worry, you'll find a seat".
I went on the train and though I only walked through the first 3 carriages, I was easily able to find 'Available' seats, and there was generally a decent amount of room. Have certainly been on busier trains.
Was happy to get on the train, but felt bad for all the other customers refused onto the service. Would the staff have been considering that the service was going to get busy as it progressed, with an extra stop at Crewe?
But what's the sense in refusing valid customers onto the train at it's starting point, in case customers further down the line can't get on? Isn't it tough cheddar for people joining mid-journey, and people who want to get on at the start should be able to do so if there is capacity when they wish to join?
Was a bit bizarre tbh, though for me I was happy I had no baggage and didn't lose the plot like one other chap... Just trying to better understand how things work on the railways for future.
I had an off-peak std return, with no seat reservation. Upon arriving at the platform with 8mins before departure, one of the Virgin cust svc reps said I couldn't board the train because I didn't have a seat reservation. I asked if the ticket was not valid, and he said it was, but because it was so busy he coudn't let me on. He said they'd cancelled other services, and this one was very busy. I said that I'd happily sit in the seats by the toilet, or in vestibule end. He quoted "it's all health and safety", and wouldn't allow me on it, but said the next one in an hour would likely have space, and if I hung around at the platform I'd get on it.
4 other passengers were also refused while I sat there, and the train had not yet departed. I assume there were some refusals before I turned up.
Another rep spoke to me apologetically, and I asked if it was a passenger train derailment, or what was happening to footy fans getting to Wembley etc. Small talk. He then said "Are you on your own? Come on, let's get you on it". I said I was happy to sit by the toilets etc., and he said "don't worry, you'll find a seat".
I went on the train and though I only walked through the first 3 carriages, I was easily able to find 'Available' seats, and there was generally a decent amount of room. Have certainly been on busier trains.
Was happy to get on the train, but felt bad for all the other customers refused onto the service. Would the staff have been considering that the service was going to get busy as it progressed, with an extra stop at Crewe?
But what's the sense in refusing valid customers onto the train at it's starting point, in case customers further down the line can't get on? Isn't it tough cheddar for people joining mid-journey, and people who want to get on at the start should be able to do so if there is capacity when they wish to join?
Was a bit bizarre tbh, though for me I was happy I had no baggage and didn't lose the plot like one other chap... Just trying to better understand how things work on the railways for future.