Reserved Train Seats

DonegalMan

This probably sounds a stupid question but how do you know if a seat on a train is reserved?

A few weeks ago, I took a train from Heuston to Limerick, believe it or not, my first time ever as an adult to take a train in this country (bear in mind we've had no trains in Donegal or Tyrone for the last 50 years or so. I got my ticket at departure as I have a Free Travel Pass and took my seat but shortly afterwards I was asked to move by some people who had booked that block of seats in advance.

When you get on a train, how do you know what seats have been reserved or are there specific carriages allocated for this? (I couldn't see any advisory signs anywhere on the train.)

dilallio

The modern intercity carriages have an electronic display beside each seat which gives the name of the persons who have been allocated that seat.

On older carriages without the electronic displays, they are supposed to place a reserved card with your name on top of the seat.

If you reserve a seat but end up standing, you are entitled to a full refund.

More info here

schemingbohemia

DonegalMan wrote: »

This probably sounds a stupid question but how do you know if a seat on a train is reserved?

A few weeks ago, I took a train from Heuston to Limerick, believe it or not, my first time ever as an adult to take a train in this country (bear in mind we've had no trains in Donegal or Tyrone for the last 50 years or so. I got my ticket at departure as I have a Free Travel Pass and took my seat but shortly afterwards I was asked to move by some people who had booked that block of seats in advance.

When you get on a train, how do you know what seats have been reserved or are there specific carriages allocated for this? (I couldn't see any advisory signs anywhere on the train.)

If it was one of these trains


There are little digital displays above each seat which give the seat number and also if it is booked the surname of the person booking the seat.

I'm not 100% sure of the situation regarding the "Cork" trains, think it's similar though.

Irish Rail usually keep 1 of the carriages free of bookings so that's the safest place to get on if you have a free travel pass.

This should really be moved to Commuting & Transport.

MOH

On those newer trains, the digital display should show the name of the person who has the seat reserved. Assuming they've bothered to switch the booking system on, which isn't always the case. It's not very obvious, particularly since there's usually only 1 or 2 carriages with reserved seating (usually at the front), but there's nothing distinguishing these in any way.

On the older trains, they're supposed to put out a card indicating the seat is reserved, but in my experience rarely do so