Mauldeth Road to Nottingham

[Starmill]

Hello everyone! So, I've purchased these, and I just wondered, considering the likely jam-packedness of the 0738 from Manchester Oxford Road to Norwich, are my tickets valid by an alternative route to the obvious Lime St. - Norwich? I need to arrive before about 10:00 really, and I planned to go to Oxford Road to get the train before it arrives in Piccadilly, but this might not be enough, considering the timetable says 2-coach 158 and its the University of Nottingham open day (the reason for my travels). Before anyone asks, yes I am travelling with a child and the Family Railcard, but it'd be silly to scan all the tickets.

They don't say "EastMids ONLY" or anything and they are "Any Permitted", so that's most of the usual restricions OK, but they are "Super Off-Peak Return" - what does that really mean?

Many thanks

Starmill

 

[island]

Timewise your ticket is valid between 0930 and 1528, and after 1746.

Routewise, I'll have to look it up.
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Routeing points for Mauldeth Road are Manchester Group and Wilmslow Group. Both pass the fares check rule (SOS MAU-NOT £37.50, SOS MAN-NOT £37.50, SOS WML-NOT £35.50) and Nottingham is a member of Nottingham Group.

A through train and the shortest route are always valid (shortest route being via Hazel Grove, Chinley and Chesterfield). Map combinations permitted for either routeing point are MH+EM, MS+EM, or PS. The only other routes that appears viable would be via Stoke and Derby (MS+EM).

 

[IanD]

Timewise your ticket is valid between 0930 and 1528, and after 1746.

On a Sautrday?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

considering the likely jam-packedness of the 0738 from Manchester Oxford Road to Norwich

Have you considered reserving some seats?

 

[tannedfrog]

are you aware that identifying information is shown on the bottom of the image

 

[island]

On a Sautrday?

Didn't register the date in my head. On weekends, super off-peak and off-peak tickets are (nearly) always valid on any train. This one is not an exception.

 

[Starmill]

Have you considered reserving some seats?

Oh yes, I have None are available. Hence my assumption about loading - what proportion of seats do EMT tend to leave unreserved?

Routeing points for Mauldeth Road are Manchester Group and Wilmslow Group. Both pass the fares check rule (SOS MAU-NOT £37.50, SOS MAN-NOT £37.50, SOS WML-NOT £35.50) and Nottingham is a member of Nottingham Group.

A through train and the shortest route are always valid (shortest route being via Hazel Grove, Chinley and Chesterfield). Map combinations permitted for either routeing point are MH+EM, MS+EM, or PS. The only other routes that appears viable would be via Stoke and Derby (MS+EM).

Muchas Gracias!

are you aware that identifying information is shown on the bottom of the image

My initial, surname and booking reference? Train tickets aren't usually protected documents, but I take your point.

 

[MCR247]

Just thought I'd say that Crewe - derby will be a 153 and will be quite busy. Especially since you're getting on at Stoke. Might just be easier to get the 158. Or got to the airport and buy at ticket to Piccadilly so you can pick up the Cleethorpes 185 at its origin? And then changing at sheffield if you are that worried about getting a seat?

 

[Starmill]

Just thought I'd say that Crewe - derby will be a 153 and will be quite busy. Especially since you're getting on at Stoke. Might just be easier to get the 158. Or got to the airport and buy at ticket to Piccadilly so you can pick up the Cleethorpes 185 at its origin? And then changing at sheffield if you are that worried about getting a seat?

How will getting on at Sheffield help me get a seat? And could I not go directly to Crewe from Mauldeth Road, and get on the 153 there? I think you may have a point though, for the sake of simplicity, it may be easier just to catch the Norwich service.

 

[bb21]

How will getting on at Sheffield help me get a seat?

There will be many people getting off at Sheffield so it might be easier, but equally there could be quite a few getting on as well.

And could I not go directly to Crewe from Mauldeth Road, and get on the 153 there?

Yes, you may.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Just thought I'd say that Crewe - derby will be a 153 and will be quite busy. Especially since you're getting on at Stoke. Might just be easier to get the 158. Or got to the airport and buy at ticket to Piccadilly so you can pick up the Cleethorpes 185 at its origin? And then changing at sheffield if you are that worried about getting a seat?

Not strictly guarenteed to be a 153, 158's do show up from time to time. The service isn't usually that[/] busy, unless it's raceday at Uttoxeter or you hit the Alton Towers traffic.

 

[MCR247]

It's mainly a 153 and when I say busy I don't mean standing I just mean that you may not get to pick seats and there may not be any twos left

 

[howittpie]

It is very rare for the EMT service from Liverpool to have seat reservations on a Saturday. I made the journey about 23 times a years on a Sat for about 5 years and never ever had seat reservations on the services.

 

[Bakerbloke]

I often do Chinley to Nottingham and there is always a big changeover of passengers at Sheffield but a lot more getting off than getting on. On a weekday the EMT that calls at Sheffield at 0838 is sometimes a 4 car - not sure if it will on Saturday. So the suggestion to travel on TP (or the scenic Northern Stopper) and change at Sheffield is a good idea.

 

[Starmill]

Utterly ridiculous. In the end, I plumped for a taxi to MCO and got on there, only two coaches but not so busy. Loaded up at Picc and Stockport, but NO RESERVATION Labels! Loads of people getting on, moaning about "no little cards" and I've now been asked to move 3 times. Once so ruedly that my desired response would be "**** OFF"! You're getting a piece of my mind EMT!!!

 

[bb21]

If no reservation labels have been put out, there is no reservation. They are not enforceable. Simples!

I hope you stood your ground.

 

[Starmill]

The first two times we did move, as other seats were available (could they not have gone to sit in them?) but the train is quite full now, and we have just left Chesterfield, I'm still sat down!

Thanks a lot to everyone

 

[yorkie]

Just politely explain there are no seat reservations, and leave the conversation there.

Note however that there is one Company, namely CrossCountry, that has an official policy of enforcing invisible seat reservations. (some of us have complained to them but have got fobbed off. Anyone else want to give it a go?)

 

[Starmill]

Just politely explain there are no seat reservations, and leave the conversation there.

Note however that there is one Company, namely CrossCountry, that has an official policy of enforcing invisible seat reservations. (some of us have complained to them but have got fobbed off. Anyone else want to give it a go?)

If I can get an excuse to use one of their services I'll give it a go! I'm getting rather well practised at writing to TOC's - I've had a free voucher from Northern!!
incidentally, I'm on my return service now, and it appears to be formed of 3 of EMTs 158s! Seems empty.

 

[MCR247]

A 6 car 158? Is anything special happening?

 

[howittpie]

EMT policy if there are no labels there then there are no reserved seats on the servifce. Had this discussion many times with passengers who have said you are sat in my seats. This was confirmed by 2 EMT train managers as well.

 

[Starmill]

Update on the 158s: the guard said there was a fault with one of them so she left it was on the platform at Nottingham. Weather or not that and one more unit had been booked, and another was found and attached at the last minute to replace the failure, or 3 had been intended to work together and they just left one behind, I don't know.

 

[yorkie]

EMT policy if there are no labels there then there are no reserved seats on the servifce. Had this discussion many times with passengers who have said you are sat in my seats. This was confirmed by 2 EMT train managers as well.

That's good to have confirmed. That policy is the only sensible one and is adopted by all TOCs that I know of, except for the dismal anti-customer XC. Certainly EC just say the service is unreserved.

And before anyone says that's bad for groups, in my experience, on any unreserved train, if there is a group of people who want to sit together as a group, most passengers will move (if asked nicely!) to alternative seats to allow them to sit together. In fact on a recent trip to Scotland other passengers vacated seats both ways to allow our group to sit together without even being asked!

 

[MCR247]

Update on the 158s: the guard said there was a fault with one of them so she left it was on the platform at Nottingham. Weather or not that and one more unit had been booked, and another was found and attached at the last minute to replace the failure, or 3 had been intended to work together and they just left one behind, I don't know.

I'd say it was booked to have 2 and not 3

 

[calc7]

If challenged for a seat on a service where reservations have been cancelled (through disruption, short-forming, operational printing error, or otherwise), I smile, politely say that reservations are not in effect on the service and continue about my business.

 

[Starmill]

Right then. Written to EMT about this issue now, as that journey was frankly ridiculous. Also told them that their airline seats are uncomfortable and their trains are full of litter - which they were. On the plus side, they have pleasant, bright looking interiors and smart livery and staff are generally pleasant and helpful (Ahem, Northern). My experience on the day was also that the service was running to time, if this still left a bit to be desired.

 

[IanD]

And before anyone says that's bad for groups, in my experience, on any unreserved train, if there is a group of people who want to sit together as a group, most passengers will move (if asked nicely!) to alternative seats to allow them to sit together. In fact on a recent trip to Scotland other passengers vacated seats both ways to allow our group to sit together without even being asked!

I guess you've just been lucky. My experience is that most passengers of advanced years will refuse to budge.

 

[MCR247]

Right then. Written to EMT about this issue now, as that journey was frankly ridiculous. Also told them that their airline seats are uncomfortable and their trains are full of litter - which they were. On the plus side, they have pleasant, bright looking interiors and smart livery and staff are generally pleasant and helpful (Ahem, Northern). My experience on the day was also that the service was running to time, if this still left a bit to be desired.

I think the Grammer seats are the best around

 

[Starmill]

I think the Grammer seats are the best around

Come again? Whatever is in the 175s are my favorites