Late reservations of seats

[Unixman]

A few days ago I was coming back to Worcester from Paddington and I got caught in the scrum to get as seat due to the short length of time between the opening of the barriers and train departure. The thing is this: I have severe mobility problems and hence I tend to be left behind in the rush, in one case being forced to stand between Padd and Reading ( please don't make me laugh about me asking people to vacate the seats that are marked for disabled people) which with a leg prosthesis wasn't much fun. However, I frequently don't know which train I will be catching home until an hour or two before departure ( business needs etc) and I am wondering if there is any way about getting a seat reservation so close?

Information about Chiltern ( I sometimes go to Warwick ) as well as FGW would be appreciated.

 

[alastair]

A few days ago I was coming back to Worcester from Paddington and I got caught in the scrum to get as seat due to the short length of time between the opening of the barriers and train departure. The thing is this: I have severe mobility problems and hence I tend to be left behind in the rush, in one case being forced to stand between Padd and Reading ( please don't make me laugh about me asking people to vacate the seats that are marked for disabled people) which with a leg prosthesis wasn't much fun. However, I frequently don't know which train I will be catching home until an hour or two before departure ( business needs etc) and I am wondering if there is any way about getting a seat reservation so close?

Information about Chiltern ( I sometimes go to Warwick ) as well as FGW would be appreciated.

Unless I have misunderstood the point you are making,sounds like you would have every right to ask for an unreserved "priority" seat to be vacated,the signage could hardly be clearer!

 

[Unixman]

Unless I have misunderstood the point you are making,sounds like you would have every right to ask for an unreserved "priority" seat to be vacated,the signage could hardly be clearer!

As I said: you just try and get people to move. A case of "J'y suis,j'y reste"

 

[alastair]

As I said: you just try and get people to move. A case of "J'y suis,j'y reste"

Well,FGW do a Priority Seat Card:


http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/media/PDF/YourJourney/AssistedTravel/web_priority_app.ashx


Maybe that would help?

 

[Unixman]

Well,FGW do a Priority Seat Card:


http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/~/media/PDF/YourJourney/AssistedTravel/web_priority_app.ashx


Maybe that would help?

Not if there are selfish b*stards who won't move. THAT is my point. And please don't suggest finding the train manager. That is rather defeating the object of the exercise.

Anyway: back to the question. How can I make late seat reservations?

 

[LexyBoy]

AFAIK FGW allow reservations to be made up to 2 hours before departure (which is the standard) - not sure if this is close enough. Not sure if this can be done on the phone, but it should be possible from any station.

Chiltern do not do reservations at all, and if your train to Worcester is a Turbo then it is also non-reservable (though I'm not sure if any peak trains are).

As discussed in another thread it is often possible to tell which platform your train will depart from before it is announced by checking which platforms have trains but aren't announced yet. This will give you a chance to board before the rush.

Do you explain why you need a seat? It may be that other passengers just can't see why you need it more than them (still damn rude though).

 

[Unixman]

AFAIK FGW allow reservations to be made up to 2 hours before departure (which is the standard) - not sure if this is close enough. Not sure if this can be done on the phone, but it should be possible from any station.

Chiltern do not do reservations at all, and if your train to Worcester is a Turbo then it is also non-reservable (though I'm not sure if any peak trains are).

As discussed in another thread it is often possible to tell which platform your train will depart from before it is announced by checking which platforms have trains but aren't announced yet. This will give you a chance to board before the rush.

Do you explain why you need a seat? It may be that other passengers just can't see why you need it more than them (still damn rude though).

Thanks for the information. Yes I have asked/suggested that people leave that seat and given the reason. Last time I was told to "f*ck off" ....

 

[Hadders]

Priority seating for disabled is precisely to cater for this sort of situation and it is unfortunate that your request to use this seating is met with unacceptable behaviour.

I would suggest boarding the train nearest to the buffet. If your request to fellow passengers to vacate the priority seating in this carriage fails then I would go to the buffet, explain the situation, and ask them to call the train manager for assistance.

I suspect this would result in either the persons occupying the priority seats being asked to move or you being given a free upgrade to 1st class.

 

[David Goddard]

Ask for assistance onto the train, so you have a member of staff with you when you board, they can then help release priority seats if needed.

 

[Flamingo]

As David said above, book assistance if possible, if you there early enough they normally load any passengers they have before the train is announced (or even cleaned sometimes!).

Failing that, ask a member of traincrew or platform staff for help. If a genuine problem (be prepared to explain, sometimes we are suspicious) then I would say most of my colleagues would be happy to help.

Do you have a DSB card? Showing that may help.

 

[bengolding]

Goto the Network Rail mobility reception on platform 1, next to the ticket office. You need to book with Passenger Assist by 6pm the day before in order for it to be 'guaranteed'. The buggy takes you to your carriage and avoids the scrum on the concourse - if you arrive within 30 mins of departure, you'll get priority boarding before it is announced. Even at short notice, they've never failed to assist me, often collecting me from the First Class Lounge, although those who pre-book get priority.