Broken Seat Reservations

[diffarc]

I notice when seat reservation systems break, train managers ask people to try and sit in their reserved seats. Is there a good reason for this?

Often it seems like this causes more hassle than anything, where people constantly have to switch seats as they don’t know if it’s reserved. Surely it’s best to just say the reservations are cancelled?

 

[duffield]

I notice when seat reservation systems break, train managers ask people to try and sit in their reserved seats.
...

Not always. It's just as common (in my experience) for TMs to tell passengers to just sit anywhere in their designated class when the reservations are not working - that certainly seems typical for EMR London services.

 

[irish_rail]

On GWR reservations become null and void (and rightly so). Would be very unfair on those without reservations who would be moved from pillar to post all journey with no wat of knowing if a seat is taken.

 

[yorkie]

Not always. It's just as common (in my experience) for TMs to tell passengers to just sit anywhere in their designated class when the reservations are not working - that certainly seems typical for EMR London services.

This is the best approach

On GWR reservations become null and void (and rightly so). Would be very unfair on those without reservations who would be moved from pillar to post all journey with no wat of knowing if a seat is taken.

Agreed

I notice when seat reservation systems break, train managers ask people to try and sit in their reserved seats.

They shouldn't do this in my opinion; it invites conflict.

Is there a good reason for this?

There is not a good reason.

Often it seems like this causes more hassle than anything, where people constantly have to switch seats as they don’t know if it’s reserved. Surely it’s best to just say the reservations are cancelled?

I agree.

We have had this debate before; unfortunately a minority of people disagree with us, but that's just the way things are.

 

[Jim the Jim]

On GWR reservations become null and void (and rightly so). Would be very unfair on those without reservations who would be moved from pillar to post all journey with no wat of knowing if a seat is taken.

It's very unfair on those with a reservation who find they don't get a seat!

 

[yorkie]

It's very unfair on those with a reservation who find they don't get a seat!

You unsuccessfully argued this before; to save everyone the hassle of arguing with you again, here is the thread:

My proposal for Seat reservations to still be enforceable if they are not displayed

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/all-seat-reservations-activate-part-way-through-gwr-journey.260406/ I'm in the minority position of tending to think reservations should be honoured regardless of whether or not the display is working, and if that means passengers...

www.railforums.co.uk

The reasons against your proposal still stand, and I note were not challenged.

In any case, your idea wouldn't have worked on the last two LNER journeys I made which had no reservations; one was the first train out of King's Cross for several hours, and the other was a 9 car into 2 x 5 cars.