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Seat reservation policy on Transpennine Express

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_toommm_

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This could lead to problems then in that you board the train and the seat is not reserved. Someone else could be sat in it if there is no notice on it indicating it is reserved.

Its happened to me twice - luckily both times they've moved. The first person was fine after seeing the email; the second moved more begrudgingly...
 
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robbeech

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In my opinion, and I’ve been on both sides of this with the TPE system, email or not, if there’s nothing on the seat then it’s unreserved as per the rule.
Makes it really difficult for passengers who have used the system in good faith and can’t sit there. Also makes it difficult for passengers who have sat in an unmarked seat in good faith and have someone try to move them.

I’ve not once seen a sign to suggest these seats may be reserved en route.
 

221129

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In my opinion, and I’ve been on both sides of this with the TPE system, email or not, if there’s nothing on the seat then it’s unreserved as per the rule.
Makes it really difficult for passengers who have used the system in good faith and can’t sit there. Also makes it difficult for passengers who have sat in an unmarked seat in good faith and have someone try to move them.

I’ve not once seen a sign to suggest these seats may be reserved en route.
As per what rule?
 

gray1404

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I too am of the view that if there's no notice indicating that the seat is or could become reserved then it isn't reserved. Full stop.

Poor show on TPE.
 

Hadders

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It isn’t a formal rule but clearly if seat reservations aren’t displayed they are unenforceable and cannot be applied.
 

Bensonby

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Byelaw 13 (1) (i) creates an offence of sitting in a seat that is marked as reserved for someone else. It doesn’t explicitly say that a seat that is not marked as reserved cannot be reserved, but I would argue that it’s implied.

It seems like a nonsensical system to allow people to reserve seats but to then not mark them up as such.
 

gray1404

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TPE should put a sign on the said seats saying it may become reserved during the journey. Either that I put a standard label on it indicating that it is reserved for the trains entire journey.

If you book a TPE on the day reservation online in enough time they (i.e. well before the train leaves it origin and that reservation labels for the rest of the service have been printed) do they place a label on the seat in these circumstances?
 
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xotGD

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I've given up on the TPE last minute reservations due to the lack of reservation tickets on the seats. There is no way I would try to kick someone out of their seat without a ticket, and likewise I wouldn't want to move if the situation was reversed.

Very poor execution of what should be a useful feature.
 

mike D

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Now our nice new trains are coming, I can no longer book a seat. I've done so for the last two years, travelling from Oxenholme to Manchester OR daily. Much to the envy of many who stand every day, I get to sit.
Now " because the booking system doesn't know which train is running" they wont book any seats. New trains 5 carriages, 60+ seats per carriage. So book seats on four 50 seat carriages as they do now. Then it doesn't matter what set turn up. Lazy programming.... So I get the privilege of standing for 65 minutes a day, as I doubt the new trains are big enough - bigger yes, but not big enough!
Don't even get me started on punctuality. Four times in two years...... Normally 10 mins late to work and 10 late home. Minimum.
 

yorkie

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Other TOCs seem to manage well enough
Yes, it's great that LNER divulge the type of stock and amend the seating plans accordingly. It helps us to avoid the Azumas and book on the more comfortable trains for that little bit longer too ;)

To be fair, TPE is more of an inter-urban operation; seat reservations are not always available anyway, and changes to stock are more likely than on LNER, so TPE probably have made the right call for them, given their circumstances. This is the same policy that Greater Anglia have adopted with their 'InterCity' services between London and Norwich (which arguably isn't going to be 'InterCity' in any shape or form going forward but that's a whole new topic!)
 

mike D

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Don't worry - it's a transitional thing that should go away once what train runs on what service becomes stable. Have a look at this thread for more details: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/virgin-tpe-seat-allocation.192879/#post-4225355
Yes, I know it is a transitional thing.
That doesn't mean standing for an hour and a half every night between now and December 15 is acceptable......
It's the usual cant be bothered with customers attitude.
I'm reasonably fit, and recovering from hip replacement. I don't look old, nor walk with a stick. So TPE thinks its OK? I don't. I'm going to spend extra to get a season ticket to the airport, then lose an hour a day going to the airport, to get on a train and find a seat......
Does TPE really think that's good customer service?
 

yorkie

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The policy isn't going to result in an increase in the number of people standing though; the numbers will be decreasing due to the increased capacity.

My advice to anyone who is recovering from a hip replacement would be to do exactly the same as you would do on a Northern train: if all seats are taken, just explain your situation and I am sure someone would give up their seat for you.
 
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