• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Search results

  1. B

    Was the ITSO system ever meant to be rolled out across the entire network?

    They work well in city regions, but I agree long-distance fares are too complex. I made a post earlier which is caught in a moderation queue, but hopefully it will get approved soon as it provided some insight.
  2. B

    Was the ITSO system ever meant to be rolled out across the entire network?

    There's an argument that a smartcard is also a barrier as you need to acquire one. Perhaps using a bank card or biometrics is better.
  3. B

    Was the ITSO system ever meant to be rolled out across the entire network?

    There's just been a big campaign to drive conversion to smart cards. Now, most operators offer smartcards: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/times_fares/ticket_types/232869.aspx I think that you can store tickets from other operators, but the main challenge is collecting the tickets. You need to...
  4. B

    First Trenitalia (Avanti!) WCML branding, naming and livery

    True - I've only travelled on GWR once since it changed over. Usually a XC'er if I need to return to my hometown, so ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
  5. B

    First Trenitalia (Avanti!) WCML branding, naming and livery

    One of the biggest thing at the launch tonight was that they were adjusting the seats so they all recline slightly, which will be fantastic if you're hungover - not convinced otherwise. Thanks to AWC for the amazing canapés and open bar. I've scanned the brand book from the giveaways and...
  6. B

    First Trenitalia (Avanti!) WCML branding, naming and livery

    Can confirm - would post the invite here but don't want to get in trouble, especially as it's an invitation-only event. :)
  7. B

    First Trenitalia (Avanti!) WCML branding, naming and livery

    It's a private event, but not at New Street or Grand Central. :)
  8. B

    Most annoying aspect of travelling on Virgin Trains

    The leap between Advance and Super Off-Peak has always annoyed me - £15 difference just to have the freedom to get on one of 5 trains that are both likely to be fairly empty. The air conditioning feels a bit plane-y, like I should be having people come along with a moist toilette because the...
  9. B

    Allowed to buy tickets on the train - why?

    For similar reasons to why you can purchase your ticket at New Street in order to get out of the barriers I guess... The announcements at WMR stations do say "purchase at the first available opportunity", but I guess for the amount of people who fare evade on routes where there are no gate...
  10. B

    Cross Country New Franchise

    Forgive me if I'm wrong, but New Street is exactly like that anyway, no? Only platforms 9-12 can go to Worcester/Bristol?
  11. B

    Birmingham New Street pollution

    The former. There are a few fans throughout the platforms and they just blow the pollution to the open air either end of the platforms. It's almost as if we've got a pollution problem in Birmingham! ;) I've noticed that some diesel voyagers power down while on a long stopover, but if you go...
  12. B

    Wifi on board

    As long as I can actually get signal, then I've not got any qualms as to how it's achieved. Yesterday I travelled from Birmingham to Plymouth and could seldom get any data connection. On a 4-car voyager.
  13. B

    Virgin Trains East Coast franchise to end 24 June 2018 and is temporarily re-nationalised

    Their livery has been stripped on a lot of their trains over the last few months. It's noticeably disappearing.
  14. B

    West Coast Franchise speculation

    It would be quite nice if the new franchise enabled departures from Euston to Birmingham after 10pm on a Saturday! It's hilarious that the last one is at 21:43.
  15. B

    Virgin Trains East Coast franchise to end 24 June 2018 and is temporarily re-nationalised

    https://twitter.com/Andrew_Adonis/status/996724149757333505

Top