How busy are Avanti trains in the North West?

[thenorthern]

I have to travel on Avanti from Crewe to Lancaster next week and I was wondering how busy the trains are likely to be around mid-afternoon and early evening?

I am aware that the trains are normally empty most of the time however I was wondering what it will be like with the pandemic on?

 

[trainophile]

Funny you should ask this as I was just about to ask a similar question regarding the Avanti 1254 train from Crewe to Lancaster this coming Tuesday 22nd, which on the TPE booking website for some reason is annotated "This Avanti West Coast Train is expected to be busy due to the England v Scotland football match. Where possible please use an alternate service to help with social distancing". Same message for the 1109, but none of the others.

I'm guessing it's a mistake, unless they think everyone will have made a long weekend of it and be travelling back at that precise time!

 

[trainophile]

To answer your question, if you book on Trainsplit (or just do a dummy booking), go on the seat selector and you can get a feel for how busy a particular train might be by the number of reserved v available seats.

 

[mmh]

Funny you should ask this as I was just about to ask a similar question regarding the Avanti 1254 train from Crewe to Lancaster this coming Tuesday 22nd, which on the TPE booking website for some reason is annotated "This Avanti West Coast Train is expected to be busy due to the England v Scotland football match. Where possible please use an alternate service to help with social distancing". Same message for the 1109, but none of the others.

I'm guessing it's a mistake, unless they think everyone will have made a long weekend of it and be travelling back at that precise time!

Well, you can make reasoned predictions at which trains would likely be affected - people generally check out of hotels mid-morning - and they should also know how many advance tickets and reservations there are. The 1109 is a relatively early start from London, but it is an Edinburgh service, which may be a factor - a less frequent service.

 

[trainophile]

Well, you can make reasoned predictions at which trains would likely be affected - people generally check out of hotels mid-morning - and they should also know how many advance tickets and reservations there are. The 1109 is a relatively early start from London, but it is an Edinburgh service, which may be a factor - a less frequent service.

Yes but next Tuesday, when the match was on Friday? Unless there's a replay I haven't heard about!

 

[route101]

Friday is the busy day on the WCML. Sunday I imagine too.

 

[MDB1images]

Hard to predict loadings on the Northern end of the WCML as each day really is different.
Of the late afternoon Avanti trains I've caught in the last 3 weeks I'd say the majority of bays are taken, obviously it can also swing either way(totally dead to busy), I've found if it's been moderately busy it's a good idea to walk through to find a quieter coach.