Irish Rail seat reservations - what's the point?!

end of the road · 06-05-2015 12:30am

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

No, it was IE who decided to do it to reduce costs.

i can't see how it has reduced costs over all. yes a 4 car will cost less then a 6 car to run but thats only 1 set. with more or less the same amount of sets in service over all i'm not seeing it. removing much of the mark 4s from service is probably what helped reduce it more then the re-configurations but i'm missing something most likely.

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

While it's work reasonably well after a long time settling down I suspect they will have no other option soon enough but to start returning part of the fleet changes back to normal.

has it worked though? what difference will changing the sets back actually make? we will still have services without the capacity they need or still services which won't receive them at all which should.

Jamie2k9 · 06-05-2015 12:47am

i can't see how it has reduced costs over all. yes a 4 car will cost less then a 6 car to run but thats only 1 set. with more or less the same amount of sets in service over all i'm not seeing it. removing much of the mark 4s from service is probably what helped reduce it more then the re-configurations but i'm missing something most likely.

Fuel and maintenance biggest savings, just taking a 4 car roster on Waterford route and on a typical week you are savings at least 4,000 miles in fuel and wear/tear. That is over 200,000 per year and repeat this across the network on longer routes and the €€€ will add uo,

has it worked though? what difference will changing the sets back actually make? we will still have services without the capacity they need or still services which won't receive them at all which should.

As numbers grown IE will need to increase capacity however they will also want costs watch and more 3 piece sets will be needed.

There has being some good benefits particularly to off peak services and to some very busy peak services.

end of the road · 06-05-2015 1:01am

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Fuel and maintenance biggest savings, just taking a 4 car roster on Waterford route and on a typical week you are savings at least 4,000 miles in fuel and wear/tear. That is over 200,000 per year and repeat this across the network on longer routes and the €€€ will add uo,

As numbers grown IE will need to increase capacity however they will also want costs watch and more 3 piece sets will be needed.

There has being some good benefits particularly to off peak services and to some very busy peak services.

but you have still all 63 sets in service? i can see how it would cut costs on a per route basis but i'm talking about over all. you still need the same amount of fuel over all. ah i don't know

Jamie2k9 · 06-05-2015 3:57pm

end of the road wrote: »

but you have still all 63 sets in service? i can see how it would cut costs on a per route basis but i'm talking about over all. you still need the same amount of fuel over all. ah i don't know

Would rephrase that as 63 units "ready" for service, on your typical Monday-Thursday I don't specifics but no more 45 units would be in service and at that a lot of those 40 only operate a morning/evening service only. You would of previously of had somewhere in the region of 15 more sets operating daily or operating more often.

Friday would be the only day where you have remotely near 63 operating.

end of the road · 06-05-2015 6:21pm

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

Would rephrase that as 63 units "ready" for service, on your typical Monday-Thursday I don't specifics but no more 45 units would be in service and at that a lot of those 40 only operate a morning/evening service only. You would of previously of had somewhere in the region of 15 more sets operating daily or operating more often.

Friday would be the only day where you have remotely near 63 operating.

ah i get it now. i had thought all sets were back in service full time and went on that.

qwerty1991 · 24-05-2015 9:05pm

Currently nearly the end of my Westport to Dublin train journey and found this thread in sheer frustration at the reservation system!

I travel on the Dublin to Westport train about twice a month and I have to say, the seat reservation system has always worked perfectly. Carriage numbers are up, seat names are above seats literally every time I have traveled so I personally have no complaints about Irishrail (unlike other bad experiences on this thread).

However I always seem to have an issue with other passengers. I do not understand how people sit in reserved seating when it is clearly marked reserved! On my journey I got on to the train and there was an older man (Not frail or anything, but definitely over 60) sitting in my reserved seat ''asleep''. I tried once to wake him up but I didnt really pushing it as I did not want to look bad in front of other passengers for waking and moving someone when there was a few other seats available. I ended up on an aisle seat beside the toilet with no plug so was unable to get my work done.

I personally have no issue with moving someone from my seat if it has been marked reserved from the start of the journey and have done before. I just do not understand how people don't book seats and then sit in seats marked reserved and act very put out when asked to move by the seats owner.

It costs 10 euro to reserve a seat for people on free travel passes or open ended tickets so there is literally no reason why people don't book seats expcept that they do not want to pay extra for it.

Sorry, rant over but I just have encountered people in my clearly marked reserved seat soooo many times and have been made feel guilty for saying it is my seat!

Jem72 · 25-05-2015 10:09am

There is no excuse for sitting in a clearly marked reserved seat but your experience with the reservation system is very different to mine.

I commute on the Sligo line into Connolly so take roughy 30 single journeys per month. I tend to arrive early for my train at Connolly (usually around 20 minutes before departure) as I get work done more easily on the train if I get a table seat by the window with the window on my left hand side (i.e. I have slightly restricted choice of seats). On about 3 of 15 journeys from Connolly per month, I will take my seat before the reservation system has been activated (usually at the 20 minute cut-off time) and on about one of those journeys the system is not activated at all. I can avoid conflict by not sitting in the carriage nearest the station exit which seems to be the default choice for seat reservations.

Rakish Paddy · 25-05-2015 10:49am

The seat reservations were not displayed at all on the 18:30 from Heuston to Galway on Friday last week. I arrived just in time to catch the train and as luck would have it my seat was free. I don't know how they can offer seat reservations at all when the display seems to fail regularly, and when it is working there's no staff to deal with people who are occupying seats reserved by someone else. Grrrrrrrrrr.:mad:

LuckyLloyd · 26-05-2015 7:09pm

Just take what's yours. Go to the seat printed on your ticket and if someone has occupied it insist that they move.

Rakish Paddy · 27-05-2015 10:39am

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Just take what's yours. Go to the seat printed on your ticket and if someone has occupied it insist that they move.

It's not always that simple if you're on your own and not a prison guard/cop/bouncer. Have you seen some of the lads who take seats reserved by others on the Galway train?! They're often travelling in packs and intoxicated, and I'd be more inclined to just find somewhere else to sit rather than start a bit of a row.

Michael D Not Higgins · 27-05-2015 1:14pm

Rakish Paddy wrote: »

It's not always that simple if you're on your own and not a prison guard/cop/bouncer. Have you seen some of the lads who take seats reserved by others on the Galway train?! They're often travelling in packs and intoxicated, and I'd be more inclined to just find somewhere else to sit rather than start a bit of a row.

I think this is the crux of the matter. There are never issues with people moving on UK trains, however they are nearly always staffed with a train guard.

LuckyLloyd · 27-05-2015 1:19pm

Rakish Paddy wrote: »

It's not always that simple if you're on your own and not a prison guard/cop/bouncer. Have you seen some of the lads who take seats reserved by others on the Galway train?! They're often travelling in packs and intoxicated, and I'd be more inclined to just find somewhere else to sit rather than start a bit of a row.

Well I'll be honest, I've had people sitting in my seat a few times but people have always moved when I said I have the seat reserved and showed them my ticket. I think if everyone just piped up it would become a natural custom.

qwerty1991 · 27-05-2015 1:42pm

LuckyLloyd wrote: »

Just take what's yours. Go to the seat printed on your ticket and if someone has occupied it insist that they move.

That is fine some of the time. But it if someone disabled or very elderly is in your seat it is very hard to ask them to move .

Some of the time when I have asked people to move they simply cannot comprehend why am I asking them to let me sit on my pre booked seat. They have said oh but there's loads o. Free seats and I have my stuff here.

Probably the most infuriating time was on a very busy train when a woman, her mother (I assume) and 2 children sat in a booth where I had pre booked a window seat (I prefer the window for comfort and also needed the plug). she made a point of quite loudly saying her family needed to sit together and wasn't there a load of free seats instead of having to seperate children and older people. she basically shamed me in front of all the other people sitting around and knew that after that, I would look really bad.

and I know some people would sat just take your seat but in situations like that it Is very hard to kick groups like that out, I I've never encountered groups of young men but let me tell you for me it is usually middle to older aged women that seem to think the reservation system is just there for show.

I don't know how Irish rail don't have a guard for boarding the train at busy stations like heuston, if they had one patrolling the carriages for 30 minutes before the train departed then I am sure the reservation system would work better.

Michael D Not Higgins · 27-05-2015 2:17pm

qwerty1991 wrote: »

she basically shamed me in front of all the other people sitting around and knew that after that, I would look really bad.

At least she didn't call the Gardaí!

end of the road · 27-05-2015 2:58pm

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

I think this is the crux of the matter. There are never issues with people moving on UK trains, however they are nearly always staffed with a train guard.

exactly. here apparently a gard is something from the 1800s according to some. the future is fending for yourself and if anything happens screw you, or just get in touch with the driver who hasn't enough to be doing. apart from short distance services with multiple stops, this driver only nonsense is a potential hazard, and i support those in the UK moving to stop its expansian. shame the lads failed here to stop it.

end of the road · 27-05-2015 3:02pm

qwerty1991 wrote: »

Probably the most infuriating time was on a very busy train when a woman, her mother (I assume) and 2 children sat in a booth where I had pre booked a window seat (I prefer the window for comfort and also needed the plug). she made a point of quite loudly saying her family needed to sit together and wasn't there a load of free seats instead of having to seperate children and older people. she basically shamed me in front of all the other people sitting around and knew that after that, I would look really bad.

she stole your seat. you had every right to remove her and you wouldn't look bad.

end of the road · 27-05-2015 3:03pm

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

At least she didn't call the Gardaí!

the fact she shamed him for something he doesn't have to be shamed for is as pathetic TBH. throw her out and don't feel bad about it

Michael D Not Higgins · 27-05-2015 3:11pm

end of the road wrote: »

the fact she shamed him for something he doesn't have to be shamed for is as pathetic TBH. throw her out and don't feel bad about it

Indeed, and here in the UK there have been plenty of times I have moved people out of my seat who have moved without issue (sometimes with a sorry or excuse me).

ceannair06 · 04-06-2015 1:21pm

I'd like to know why my paying almost 4,000 euro a year entitles me to nothing but someone coughing up as little as a fiver gets a reserved seat ?

It's disgusting.

trellheim · 04-06-2015 7:54pm

define "nothing". Are they stopping you boarding the train

Jem72 · 04-06-2015 8:11pm

In fairness those commuting regularly learn to know what works. I haven't stood on a train for several years. The most annoying thing about reservations is the fact that you can unwittingly sit in a reserved seat. I tend to stick to the 20 minute rule myself - I'll move if it's 20 minutes before departure but if it's closer to departure and there is nowhere obvious to go, I'll politely decline. It's only ever happened a couple of times though as bookings tend to mostly be in one carriage.

But it is a little silly that every online booking gets an automatic seat reservation. It would be much better to charge a euro extra for a seat reservation or allow an open return in place of seat reservations. A lot of time on the Sligo line, people don't even take up their seat reservations. If a seat reservation is free for an on-line booking, it is only fair that it should also be free for commuters paying 4 grand a year or more for their ticket.

iguana · 04-06-2015 8:29pm

Jem72 wrote: »

In fairness those commuting regularly learn to know what works. I haven't stood on a train for several years. The most annoying thing about reservations is the fact that you can unwittingly sit in a reserved seat. I tend to stick to the 20 minute rule myself - I'll move if it's 20 minutes before departure but if it's closer to departure and there is nowhere obvious to go, I'll politely decline. It's only ever happened a couple of times though as bookings tend to mostly be in one carriage.

But it is a little silly that every online booking gets an automatic seat reservation. It would be much better to charge a euro extra for a seat reservation or allow an open return in place of seat reservations. A lot of time on the Sligo line, people don't even take up their seat reservations. If a seat reservation is free for an on-line booking, it is only fair that it should also be free for commuters paying 4 grand a year or more for their ticket.

It's not free for an online booking. It costs €5 extra each way.

Jem72 · 04-06-2015 9:03pm

iguana wrote: »

It's not free for an online booking. It costs €5 extra each way.

That would be excellent if in the case, but I don't think it is. The last time I booked a ticket on-line to Westport about a year ago, the seat reservation was included in my €9.99 fare. I just checked on the Sligo line for a booking next week and it appears to be included in a €19.99 fare but I didn't go all the way through the process so perhaps they include the fee later. It appears to be the same process as when I last got a free seat reservation.

It was extra for a seat reservation a couple of years ago but I don't think it is any more on the Sligo line at least. There is a 5 euro charge if you just want to reserve a seat without buying a ticket.

foggy_lad · 04-06-2015 9:28pm

iguana wrote: »

It's not free for an online booking. It costs €5 extra each way.

booking your seat is compulsory on most tickets booked online, there is no extra charge for this and a random seat will be allocated if one is not chosen.

walk up passengers and those with free travel can reserve a seat at a cost of €5 per leg of the journey afaik

iguana · 05-06-2015 10:31am

Jem72 wrote: »

That would be excellent if in the case, but I don't think it is. The last time I booked a ticket on-line to Westport about a year ago, the seat reservation was included in my €9.99 fare. I just checked on the Sligo line for a booking next week and it appears to be included in a €19.99 fare but I didn't go all the way through the process so perhaps they include the fee later. It appears to be the same process as when I last got a free seat reservation.

It was extra for a seat reservation a couple of years ago but I don't think it is any more on the Sligo line at least. There is a 5 euro charge if you just want to reserve a seat without buying a ticket.

foggy_lad wrote: »

booking your seat is compulsory on most tickets booked online, there is no extra charge for this and a random seat will be allocated if one is not chosen.

walk up passengers and those with free travel can reserve a seat at a cost of €5 per leg of the journey afaik

Nope. That changed a while back. It's been €5 each way since at least the end of 2014. I paid it several times last December and it was €5 per seat on top of the full fare I was paying. I just checked it on a number of different lines now actually bothering to go the whole way through it so I wouldn't be making a false assumption and it's €5 per reserved seat even though the site initially makes it look like it's €5 to make several reservations.

wench · 05-06-2015 11:27am

iguana wrote: »

Nope. That changed a while back. It's been €5 each way since at least the end of 2014. I paid it several times last December and it was €5 per seat on top of the full fare I was paying. I just checked it on a number of different lines now actually bothering to go the whole way through it so I wouldn't be making a false assumption and it's €5 per reserved seat even though the site initially makes it look like it's €5 to make several reservations.

There is no extra cost, I get the train to Cork a couple of times a month, and it is always included.
The €5 is only applicable if you have a ticket already, and want to reserve a seat.
If you select a full fare, and a seat reservation, the system will treat that as booking two seats on the next screen.

Heisenberg1 · 05-06-2015 12:23pm

Jem72 wrote: »

In fairness those commuting regularly learn to know what works. I haven't stood on a train for several years. The most annoying thing about reservations is the fact that you can unwittingly sit in a reserved seat. I tend to stick to the 20 minute rule myself - I'll move if it's 20 minutes before departure but if it's closer to departure and there is nowhere obvious to go, I'll politely decline. It's only ever happened a couple of times though as bookings tend to mostly be in one carriage.

But it is a little silly that every online booking gets an automatic seat reservation. It would be much better to charge a euro extra for a seat reservation or allow an open return in place of seat reservations. A lot of time on the Sligo line, people don't even take up their seat reservations. If a seat reservation is free for an on-line booking, it is only fair that it should also be free for commuters paying 4 grand a year or more for their ticket.

You would politely decline that you move from a reserved seat? I hope you never sit in my seat that I have paid for you would be out on your ear.

kippy · 05-06-2015 12:29pm

iguana wrote: »

Nope. That changed a while back. It's been €5 each way since at least the end of 2014. I paid it several times last December and it was €5 per seat on top of the full fare I was paying. I just checked it on a number of different lines now actually bothering to go the whole way through it so I wouldn't be making a false assumption and it's €5 per reserved seat even though the site initially makes it look like it's €5 to make several reservations.

I travel Galway to Dublin a couple of times a month. You've no option but to reserve a seat (from what I can tell) be it automatic or picked.
I've never seen an option "NOT" to reserve a seat and never seen a mention of a fiver each way for a reservation.
Maybe I am missing something.

foggy_lad · 05-06-2015 1:09pm

iguana wrote: »

Nope. That changed a while back. It's been €5 each way since at least the end of 2014. I paid it several times last December and it was €5 per seat on top of the full fare I was paying. I just checked it on a number of different lines now actually bothering to go the whole way through it so I wouldn't be making a false assumption and it's €5 per reserved seat even though the site initially makes it look like it's €5 to make several reservations.

A return ticket to Dublin next Thursday will coost €19.15 which includes the reservation because you CAN'T book a ticket without getting a seat allocated to you!

If you just want to reserve a seat instead of buying a ticket online the cost is €5 per leg of the journey for each person.

cython · 05-06-2015 1:54pm

foggy_lad wrote: »

A return ticket to Dublin next Thursday will coost €19.15 which includes the reservation because you CAN'T book a ticket without getting a seat allocated to you!

If you just want to reserve a seat instead of buying a ticket online the cost is €5 per leg of the journey for each person.

Actually, had you captured a wider screenshot, it even says "All tickets include reserved seating where available" when you are selecting the service(s) you want to travel on, which is pretty conclusive about there being no charge to reserve a seat if you purchase online. Obviously reserving a seat with a walk up ticket is a different story.

stephenl15 · 05-06-2015 1:56pm

cython wrote: »

Actually, had you captured a wider screenshot, it even says "All tickets include reserved seating where available" when you are selecting the service(s) you want to travel on, which is pretty conclusive about there being no charge to reserve a seat if you purchase online. Obviously reserving a seat with a walk up ticket is a different story.

A seat comes free with a ticket booked in advance online, however there is also the option for free travel pass holders to reserve a seat only at a cost of €5.00 each way. Walk on passengers are not guaranteed a seat.

Fred Swanson · 05-06-2015 1:58pm

This post has been deleted.

Jem72 · 05-06-2015 2:37pm

Heisenberg1 wrote: »

You would politely decline that you move from a reserved seat? I hope you never sit in my seat that I have paid for you would be out on your ear.

That would constitute an assault if you tried this personally. Since I travel so often, I am quite friendly with most of the regular staff on the Sligo line so I doubt you'd be much in luck if went looking for assistance to move me where I was in the right.

It clearly states in the conditions of carriage that you must be available to board 20 minutes before departure from a terminus. Failure to do so results in the reservation being forfeit. That being said, I'll repeat what I said - I will offer to move if there is an obvious alternative and I won't sit in a marked reserved seat at all.

In over three thousand journeys between Connolly and Edgeworthstown or Longford, this conflict has happened to me twice. In both cases when I pointed out the reservation was unmarked and that there was another seat, the person involved said there was no need for me to bother packing away my laptop and stuff. Obviously some people are more reasonable than others.

I think it would actually add to Irish Rail's service offering if they offered people the choice between a reserved seat and an open return with some restrictions on the same day. Since so many people don't take up their reserved seats on the Sligo line, this is something that people don't value. It may be the case that the flexibility is more valued than the seat reservation and everyone would end up happy.

stephenl15 · 05-06-2015 2:47pm

Fred Swanson wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

No, incorrect I'm afraid. if they book online the seat comes free with the ticket. However if they already have a ticket ie a free travel pass, they can book a seat online for €5

stephenl15 · 05-06-2015 2:48pm

Jem72 wrote: »

That would constitute an assault if you tried this personally. Since I travel so often, I am quite friendly with most of the regular staff on the Sligo line so I doubt you'd be much in luck if went looking for assistance to move me where I was in the right.

It clearly states in the conditions of carriage that you must be available to board 20 minutes before departure from a terminus. Failure to do so results in the reservation being forfeit. That being said, I'll repeat what I said - I will offer to move if there is an obvious alternative and I won't sit in a marked reserved seat at all.

In over three thousand journeys between Connolly and Edgeworthstown or Longford, this conflict has happened to me twice. In both cases when I pointed out the reservation was unmarked and that there was another seat, the person involved said there was no need for me to bother packing away my laptop and stuff. Obviously some people are more reasonable than others.

I think it would actually add to Irish Rail's service offering if they offered people the choice between a reserved seat and an open return with some restrictions on the same day. Since so many people don't take up their reserved seats on the Sligo line, this is something that people don't value. It may be the case that the flexibility is more valued than the seat reservation and everyone would end up happy.

You're a right boll*cks aren't you. Igonarance of you!! If somebody reserves a seat and can provide proof of reservation, you must move.

MOH · 05-06-2015 3:10pm

stephenl15 wrote: »

You're a right boll*cks aren't you. Igonarance of you!! If somebody reserves a seat and can provide proof of reservation, you must move.

If somebody has a reservation then presumably they've read the attached terms and conditions at booking, which clearly state that they must be available to take up the reservation 20 minutes before departure.

LXFlyer · 05-06-2015 3:14pm

MOH wrote: »

If somebody has a reservation then presumably they've read the attached terms and conditions at booking, which clearly state that they must be available to take up the reservation 20 minutes before departure.

Which is a rule that needs to be dropped.

It's quite ridiculous in this day and age when time is very often at a premium.

wench · 05-06-2015 3:18pm

stephenl15 wrote: »

No, incorrect I'm afraid. if they book online the seat comes free with the ticket. However if they already have a ticket ie a free travel pass, they can book a seat online for €5

He's not incorrect.
The seat reservation option is not just for free travel pass holders.
Anyone with a valid ticket may pay the €5 to reserve a seat.

http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=118&n=306&a=59

MOH · 05-06-2015 3:18pm

lxflyer wrote: »

Which is a rule that needs to be dropped.

It's quite ridiculous in this day and age when time is very often at a premium.

I agree, but it's still in the current terms.

It wouldn't be necessary if IE could be relied on to actually reserve the seats, turn on the reservation system when the train begins boarding, and leave it on for the duration of the journey.

But I fear such basic competence will remain beyond them for years yet.

Michael D Not Higgins · 05-06-2015 3:36pm

Jem72 wrote: »

It clearly states in the conditions of carriage that you must be available to board 20 minutes before departure from a terminus. Failure to do so results in the reservation being forfeit.

The conditions of carriage do not mention the reservation being forfeit. They also say you need to be available to board, with the previous condition saying you must claim the seat before the scheduled departure. In that case you can say you were available to board but didn't take you seat until a few minutes before departure.

stephenl15 · 05-06-2015 3:40pm

wench wrote: »

He's not incorrect.
The seat reservation option is not just for free travel pass holders.
Anyone with a valid ticket may pay the €5 to reserve a seat.

http://www.irishrail.ie/index.jsp?p=118&n=306&a=59

Yes exactly. I didn't mean they were specifically for FTP holders. A valid ticket bought online INCLUDES a seat so you would not need to pay the extra €5. The reason you can reserve a seat only is for free travel pass holders and parents with children under 3 who don't require a ticket. Or even for family tickets as these cannot be booked online and only purchased at a booking office.

Chloris · 05-06-2015 3:40pm

What I can't for the life of me fathom is why they don't just allocate one or two specific carriages especially for the reservations and then let the rest be a free for all. That way, if you know you have a seat booked, you just go into the carriage with the bookings and anyone who doesn't goes to the rest of the train.

Any particular reason that wouldn't work?

Michael D Not Higgins · 05-06-2015 3:48pm

Chloris wrote: »

What I can't for the life of me fathom is why they don't just allocate one or two specific carriages especially for the reservations and then let the rest be a free for all. That way, if you know you have a seat booked, you just go into the carriage with the bookings and anyone who doesn't goes to the rest of the train.

Any particular reason that wouldn't work?

Mainly because there are trains that sell out and these are the ones that have the reservation issues.

Heisenberg1 · 05-06-2015 5:26pm

Where does it say that you forfeit your reservation if you are not in your reserved seat 20 minutes before departure?

Michael D Not Higgins · 05-06-2015 5:51pm

Heisenberg1 wrote: »

Where does it say that you forfeit your reservation if you are not in your reserved seat 20 minutes before departure?

It doesn't

MOH · 05-06-2015 6:03pm

Heisenberg1 wrote: »

Where does it say that you forfeit your reservation if you are not in your reserved seat 20 minutes before departure?

Section 43.6 of the Conditions of Carriage:

Passengers at terminal stations who wish to claim their reserved seats must
be available for boarding at least twenty minutes prior to the advertised
departure time of the train

The website Terms of Use says

***Please take your seat 20 minutes in advance of departure***

The passenger charter says

You should arrive at the departure gate at least 20 minutes before your Intercity train is scheduled to leave

It doesn't say your reservation is forfeit, but it's pretty clear that it's a condition of reservation that you're present 20 minutes in advance if you want to claim your reserved seat.

Victor · 05-06-2015 6:13pm

stephenl15 wrote: »

You're a right boll*cks aren't you. Igonarance of you!! If somebody reserves a seat and can provide proof of reservation, you must move.

No personal abuse please

Do not respond to this post on-thread.

Moderator

Jem72 wrote: »

It clearly states in the conditions of carriage that you must be available to board 20 minutes before departure from a terminus. Failure to do so results in the reservation being forfeit. That being said, I'll repeat what I said - I will offer to move if there is an obvious alternative and I won't sit in a marked reserved seat at all.

It's not your place to enforce the reservations policy.

Heisenberg1 · 05-06-2015 6:28pm

MOH wrote: »

Section 43.6 of the Conditions of Carriage:

The website Terms of Use says

The passenger charter says

It doesn't say your reservation is forfeit, but it's pretty clear that it's a condition of reservation that you're present 20 minutes in advance if you want to claim your reserved seat.

So as Michael said it doesn't. I would imagine this 20 minute rule is for a timely departure for the train.

Heisenberg1 · 05-06-2015 6:31pm

Jem72 wrote: »

That would constitute an assault if you tried this personally. Since I travel so often, I am quite friendly with most of the regular staff on the Sligo line so I doubt you'd be much in luck if went looking for assistance to move me where I was in the right.

It clearly states in the conditions of carriage that you must be available to board 20 minutes before departure from a terminus. Failure to do so results in the reservation being forfeit. That being said, I'll repeat what I said - I will offer to move if there is an obvious alternative and I won't sit in a marked reserved seat at all.

In over three thousand journeys between Connolly and Edgeworthstown or Longford, this conflict has happened to me twice. In both cases when I pointed out the reservation was unmarked and that there was another seat, the person involved said there was no need for me to bother packing away my laptop and stuff. Obviously some people are more reasonable than others.

I think it would actually add to Irish Rail's service offering if they offered people the choice between a reserved seat and an open return with some restrictions on the same day. Since so many people don't take up their reserved seats on the Sligo line, this is something that people don't value. It may be the case that the flexibility is more valued than the seat reservation and everyone would end up happy.

Did you just make up the forfeit your seat bit? if your not in your paid seat 20 minutes prior to departure.

LXFlyer · 05-06-2015 6:39pm

Section 43.5 of the Conditions of Carriage also adds:

Reserved seats must be claimed prior to the advertised departure time of the train.

Again, nothing about 20 minutes before departure.

Irish Rail seat reservations - what's the point?!

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