And for those who don't use Apps?
Learn to use one.
And for those who don't use Apps?
I don't think there is a bottomless pit, that is obvious, but saying when someone has a suggestion a.k.a, removing first class on particularly overcrowded services to relieve shorter term congestion is ridiculous and "money doesn't grow on trees" and all that is a bit silly.
I'm honestly not jealous of Gucci or private jets. I'm perfectly happy wearing Primark and flying in economy. What annoys me, is after the 20th time of barely squeezing on a train home, after it has been delayed through a congested rail corridor for 30 minutes is to then have people turn round and call investment & solutions into resolving said issues "crazy" and "not financially reasonable", "money doesn't grow on trees", especially when the donors to those politicians turn round to go fly on a private jet.
Now, I don't buy into arguments of "they have wealth - therefore they are taking from me", I think the pie can grow for everyone. The rich can get richer, and the poor can also get richer. However, when these people come out with arguments of austerity and scarcity, I am more than willing to point out the hypocrisy of said arguments. If there are only so many resources and we must "sacrifice" to the magical economy fairies in order for them to judge us fairly, then the people telling us that should also be willing to make cuts too.
That reducing number can be catered for by station ticket machines, manned offices at principal stations or by telesales.
Quite. Improving technology and programs should mean the making or transferring reservations , both by the passenger and the TOC during disruption, easier and reliable.
I disagree in regards to compulsory reservations. They do nothing to increase the capacity of said service, in fact working to reduce the capacity of it. Cross Country practically forces passengers to make reservations, yet their trains are still overcrowded. Most people (myself included), will get on the train regardless of reservation or not, even if they tell you not to.Learn to use one.
In regards to apps, in my experience most booking systems are pretty awful, ensuring compatibility with all phones is nigh impossible and frankly I'm looking into ways of reducing my reliance on my smartphone in order to do necessary things. The first time I brought an e-ticket, my phone died halfway through the journey. Never again...
Pre covid, the LNER trains out of Kings Cross in the evening peak always had a fair amount of "no shows" so with compulsory reservations, these seats would remain empty.
The first time I brought an e-ticket, my phone died halfway through the journey. Never again...
In fact, I was out for a walk yesterday, in the middle of the countryside, somewhere I'd never been and my phone goes from 30% to dead. Fortunately I managed to ask around for directions in a nearby town and find my way back to the tram. Modern computers are absolutely shocking and useless, so finding new convoluted ways to compulsorily shove them into our lives seems a bit silly to me.
I disagree in regards to compulsory reservations. They do nothing to increase the capacity of said service, in fact working to reduce the capacity of it. Cross Country practically forces passengers to make reservations, yet their trains are still overcrowded. Most people (myself included), will get on the train regardless of reservation or not, even if they tell you not to.
Plus, they increase the complexity and barriers in the way of people using the railways.
In regards to apps, in my experience most booking systems are pretty awful, ensuring compatibility with all phones is nigh impossible and frankly I'm looking into ways of reducing my reliance on my smartphone in order to do necessary things. The first time I brought an e-ticket, my phone died halfway through the journey. Never again...
In fact, I was out for a walk yesterday, in the middle of the countryside, somewhere I'd never been and my phone goes from 30% to dead. Fortunately I managed to ask around for directions in a nearby town and find my way back to the tram. Modern computers are absolutely shocking and useless, so finding new convoluted ways to compulsorily shove them into our lives seems a bit silly to me.
As I say, given the regular issues with the current systems, the word "simply" seems optimistic.That logic doesn't work.
With an App based reservation, the on-train systems simply update, freeing up the seat for another reservation.
The pre-Covid practice of having to have a nominal reservation (that you ended up not using) for a flexible ticket and being able to freely board another train is what lead to the no shows.
Where does it get its information from that the person has not turned up?With an App based reservation, the on-train systems simply update, freeing up the seat for another reservation.
Where does it get its information from that the person has not turned up?
I think it is suggesting that relying on electronic equipment alone is not the best idea, because electronic equipment can and does fail, and sods law says it will fail when you need to use it. This is why it is advised when hiking up a big hill in the Scottish highlands and the weather might deteriorate, take a map and compass with you and know how to use them, don't rely on a phone app or GPS.It's clear you own faulty equipment, i'm not entirely sure what relevance that has to this.
It probably does not make economic sense to provide capacity for the peaks - millions of pounds for carriages which will only see a couple of hours or so of use a few days per week. The point of compulsory reservations is that capacity is limited and passengers must avail themselves of the capacity which may not be exactly at the time they wish to travel. Works perfectly well on long distance coaches and aeroplanes.I disagree in regards to compulsory reservations. They do nothing to increase the capacity of said service, in fact working to reduce the capacity of it. Cross Country practically forces passengers to make reservations, yet their trains are still overcrowded. Most people (myself included), will get on the train regardless of reservation or not, even if they tell you not to.
When they amend their reservation to a later train when they realise they can't make it.
Quite. Improving technology and programs should mean the making or transferring reservations , both by the passenger and the TOC during disruption, easier and reliable.
And - key question - what problem is this meant to solve?
Overcrowding, by and large, which is unpleasant even if you have a reservation as it makes it difficult to move around the train.
As a great fan of Coleman's mustard, I find it hard to believe.In the same way that Colmans made their profit from the mustard left on the plate rather than what was eaten
You'll never get that past the TOCs and the DfT.
In the same way that Colmans made their profit from the mustard left on the plate rather than what was eaten the TOCs (and thus the DfT) make more money from 110% occupancy than from 100%.
Have you an example of the compatibility issues to share? Unless you're rocking a version of Android or iOS that dates back to the stone age then it's hard to grasp where there'd be a problem.
I have a Galaxy S9 that I purchased brand new in 2018. It is running Android 10. I have had the battery replaced since purchasing it.It's clear you own faulty equipment, i'm not entirely sure what relevance that has to this.
Exactly.I think it is suggesting that relying on electronic equipment alone is not the best idea, because electronic equipment can and does fail, and sods law says it will fail when you need to use it. This is why it is advised when hiking up a big hill in the Scottish highlands and the weather might deteriorate, take a map and compass with you and know how to use them, don't rely on a phone app or GPS.
I have had a mobile die on me, when during a walk in continuous rain, my jacket pocket eventually leaked water which got into the phone and killed it.
Yes. Ultimately there will be some overcrowding in the peaks, and that's fine. A few people stood up every morning isn't the end of the world. In fact, a fair number of trains are designed for this use case and systems like the Metrolink cater more for standing passengers than seated.It probably does not make economic sense to provide capacity for the peaks - millions of pounds for carriages which will only see a couple of hours or so of use a few days per week. The point of compulsory reservations is that capacity is limited and passengers must avail themselves of the capacity which may not be exactly at the time they wish to travel. Works perfectly well on long distance coaches and aeroplanes.
Clearly there would have to be a system which prevented unreserved passengers from accessing the train.
HS2 would be a good starting point or such a system.
Whether this issue is a burning one post covid remain to be seen. I suspect not.
Exactly, the issue with XC is that overcrowding expands far past the peaks - it's chock all day. Plus XC is a very long distance operator, so standing for 5 hours is a little less palatable.Therein lies a major issue with something like XC - the present (pre COVID) situation of disgraceful levels of overcrowding at most times a day were the least unremunerative (!) way of running the TOC. Because overcrowding isn't a safety issue, just unpleasant, it's hard to force it to be solved. Though TPE proved it could be resolved.
I'm against the enforced usage of modern frippery such as "apps".
I far prefer the counted place system of reservations where one can choose where to sit according to the circumstances at the time.
I prefer them too, but if not boarding at origin if its bound to be a busy service. I think Scotrail on their cheapest advances have moved to counted places and TPE since March.
I have a Galaxy S9 that I purchased brand new in 2018. It is running Android 10. I have had the battery replaced since purchasing it.
Point is, even the most modern high-tech smartphone turns to unreliable junk after a year or so. Plus, batteries just aren't cut out for what we're asking them to do, you can't rely on them to do everything.
As for "modern fripperies like apps", you (generic) can choose not to use them but then by making that choice you are declining the convenient services they offer.
Thanks. I did read that free WiFi was a part of the first class service, which I assume means it is not free in standard. 6 hours on a train with a child and an ipad without Internet connection may be a recipe for disaster! Might be worth bit for that alone.2+1 rather than 2+2, wider seat, quieter environment and usually not much of a markup. Definitely worth it, unlike the UK where the markup is normally bigger. Though be aware that TGVs don't have seats aligned fully to windows in either class.
(Apologies for off-topic) … hmm. That is counter to my experience (mostly of iPhones, but also more recently of a OnePlus). Battery replacement after maybe 3 years, on a heavily used (including car sat nav, and outdoor use on bike handlebar mount, as running tracker, including in bad weather, even when sailing, etc.) iPhone 7, makes it a completely useful reasonable device still at this point (it's nearly 4 years old). Likewise a more lightly used iPhone 6s of a family member, now 5 years old, is still completely fine — it could do with a battery replacement but it's not essential, and it's generally fine. Both happily run the most up-to-date version of the operating system (and thus all the current latest apps).Point is, even the most modern high-tech smartphone turns to unreliable junk after a year or so.
But the suggestion seems to be (though the details are unclear) that reservations would be compulsory for rail travel which is scarcely "non-essential" for many people. I use an app for a specific purpose but for rail travel I'd prefer to just get on the damned thing and if I have to stand, I'll stand. We also only have one i-phone in the family, so we cannot both use it if we are travelling separately.This, very much. It's almost like there's a determination not to join the 21st century for some here. And that's fine - but certain (optional, non-essential) services are only available using apps and if people think that's unfair, tough.