No seat reservations on EMR

[alex397]

I’m trying to book a 1st Class ticket on EMR from St Pancras to Nottingham on Sunday 24th May.
Usually, I can choose my own seat (well, sort of - the website randomly allocates you a seat, but you can always start the booking process again and eventually get a seat you like).
However, even though I have ticked the box to get a reserved seat, at the checkout it says ‘sit at any unreserved First Class seat’. Which I really don’t like the sound of!
I have heard that weekend travel with EMR is chaotic, so ideally I really want a reserved seat.

Any ideas folks?

 

[Segedunum]

Likely to be a service booked for, or planned to be booked for, an Aurora (Class 810) set. On these services, EMR have suspended reservations for the time being while its possible either a Meridian or Aurora could show up.

 

[bcarmicle]

A good number of EMR trains have suspended seat reservations due to the introduction of the Class 810 Aurora fleet. If you're flexible on travel time, it might be worth trying different times in case some of them haven't been suspended in the system.

 

[alex397]

Likely to be a service booked for, or planned to be booked for, an Aurora (Class 810) set. On these services, EMR have suspended reservations for the time being while its possible either a Meridian or Aurora could show up.

Thanks for the info!

I just hope I don’t book an unreserved seat, only for them to introduce reserved seats to the service nearer the time.

A good number of EMR trains have suspended seat reservations due to the introduction of the Class 810 Aurora fleet. If you're flexible on travel time, it might be worth trying different times in case some of them haven't been suspended in the system.

Thanks. I’ve looked at 3 trains and they are all ‘unreserved’.

 

[SirAlf]

Yesterday I had reserved seats both directions between Nottingham and St Pancras. Outbound the reservations were displayed, return they weren’t. Irritating..

On busy trains from StP it can be a lot more than irritating. Theres usually a headlong rush when the platform is announced, no point rushing because I have a reserved seat. Then it turns out I hadn’t…. On one occasion I had to stand as far as Leicester.

And what’s happened to the new Aurora trains? I travelled on one last November, or maybe it was December, not seen hide nor hair of one since

 

[185143]

Yesterday I had reserved seats both directions between Nottingham and St Pancras. Outbound the reservations were displayed, return they weren’t. Irritating..

On busy trains from StP it can be a lot more than irritating. Theres usually a headlong rush when the platform is announced, no point rushing because I have a reserved seat. Then it turns out I hadn’t…. On one occasion I had to stand as far as Leicester.

And what’s happened to the new Aurora trains? I travelled on one last November, or maybe it was December, not seen hide nor hair of one since

They only entered service in December IIRC.

I've seen other posts saying they're focused on Sheffield services at weekends during ECML closures. So that may be why you've not seen one since?

 

[edwin_m]

I was returning from London on the afternoon of Sunday 18 January and couldn't find any Nottingham trains offering reservations, so ended up driving to and from Grantham, which turned out to be cheaper. Has anyone actually found a weekend EMR train with reservations recently?

 

[SirAlf]

I generally travel from Chesterfield at weekends, just did Nottingham yesterday for a change, and a beer in Nottingham on the way back. But I haven’t seen Aurora trains recently on my usual route.

I’ve not seen seat reservations on CHD-STP since about last Oct or Nov, the usual reason given is that they haven’t loaded because of a computer problem. My theory (without a shred of evidence, admittedly) is that the software to load reservations onto the trains isn't supported anymore

 

[VT 390]

Thanks for the info!

I just hope I don’t book an unreserved seat, only for them to introduce reserved seats to the service nearer the time.

I very much doubt by May EMR would have reintroduced reservations as the class 810 will definitely not all be in service by then.
However if seat reservations were reinstated for your service you could always make a standalone reservation from a ticket office or through some train companies websites, such as GWR.

 

[SirAlf]

Thanks for the info!

I just hope I don’t book an unreserved seat, only for them to introduce reserved seats to the service nearer the time.

The reverse is more likely. You somehow find a train with seat reservations then when you get on board you find that the seat reservations haven’t been loaded, somebody is sat in “your” seat and the train is full

 

[WesternLancer]

I’m trying to book a 1st Class ticket on EMR from St Pancras to Nottingham on Sunday 24th May.
Usually, I can choose my own seat (well, sort of - the website randomly allocates you a seat, but you can always start the booking process again and eventually get a seat you like).
However, even though I have ticked the box to get a reserved seat, at the checkout it says ‘sit at any unreserved First Class seat’. Which I really don’t like the sound of!
I have heard that weekend travel with EMR is chaotic, so ideally I really want a reserved seat.

Any ideas folks?

Have a look at recent posts on this thread about reliability problems with the new trains that makes this tricky to organise. Plus I think before this they had seperate problems with Meridian reservation system on some 222 sets anyway.

I was on a 222 with reservations a few weeks ago but as t happened that was to my disadvantage as I had a ticket i had bought five mins before travelling from a ticket office without a reservation.

Class 810 for East Midlands Railway Construction/Introduction Updates

Has been a good 2 month gap between 013 & 014 being delivered to Etches. Hopefully 016 will be delivered in the next week or 2. 015 due in a fortnight and 016 a fortnight after that

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[alex397]

Thanks for the posts all. I’ll probably just book it and hope for the best!

 

[ChilliSauce]

Thanks for the posts all. I’ll probably just book it and hope for the best!

Have you thought about the option of Kings X to Nottingham via Grantham ..

LNER unlike Transport UK (badged at EMR) do have seats reservations and you can use the LNER app to pick your seat.

Further LNER do offer a very good service in 1st class .. Even the hot drinks offered on LNER outstrip EMR as the drink comes in a real cup and not some paper take-away-thinge

 

[WesternLancer]

Have you thought about the option of Kings X to Nottingham via Grantham ..

LNER unlike Transport UK (badged at EMR) do have seats reservations and you can use the LNER app to pick your seat.

Further LNER do offer a very good service in 1st class .. Even the hot drinks offered on LNER outstrip EMR as the drink comes in a real cup and not some paper take-away-thinge

Because of the way pricing works on LNER if you need a one way single on day of travel then this is cheaper too than a single on EMR.

 

[alex397]

Have you thought about the option of Kings X to Nottingham via Grantham ..

LNER unlike Transport UK (badged at EMR) do have seats reservations and you can use the LNER app to pick your seat.

Further LNER do offer a very good service in 1st class .. Even the hot drinks offered on LNER outstrip EMR as the drink comes in a real cup and not some paper take-away-thinge

Because of the way pricing works on LNER if you need a one way single on day of travel then this is cheaper too than a single on EMR.

Unfortunately I did not consider this at all. It would have been good to tick off a new station for me (Grantham) and the line to Nottingham.
I have already booked my non-refundable advance first class ticket with EMR. It was only £22 though.

Slightly kicking myself that I didn’t think of this. Some of the listed journeys would only be about 10 minutes or so longer than using EMR, even with changing at Grantham.

I’ve always found EMR first class to be decent (I used it 6 times last year). They come up and down the carriage a few times giving outthe free food and drink. I was quite surprised with how much they were giving out. I remember using Avanti first class when a half-asleep staff member reluctantly came through once - similar in Standard premier on Eurostar.
But then I used LNER first class from Leeds a few months back, and they seemed even better than EMR.

Thanks for the tip on this - I might be wasteful and also book a journey via Grantham, depending on price.

 

[ChilliSauce]

Unfortunately I did not consider this at all. It would have been good to tick off a new station for me (Grantham) and the line to Nottingham.
I have already booked my non-refundable advance first class ticket with EMR. It was only £22 though.

Slightly kicking myself that I didn’t think of this. Some of the listed journeys would only be about 10 minutes or so longer than using EMR, even with changing at Grantham.

I’ve always found EMR first class to be decent (I used it 6 times last year). They come up and down the carriage a few times giving outthe free food and drink. I was quite surprised with how much they were giving out. I remember using Avanti first class when a half-asleep staff member reluctantly came through once - similar in Standard premier on Eurostar.
But then I used LNER first class from Leeds a few months back, and they seemed even better than EMR.

Thanks for the tip on this - I might be wasteful and also book a journey via Grantham, depending on price.

Pick the right trains on LNER in 1st class and enjoy the journey far more than what Transport UK (badged as EMR) offer

 

[worldsteam]

During March and April we plan to increase the number of Class 810 Aurora trains in passenger service to five, before introducing 10-car operation later in the spring. As we move through the transition to the full introduction of the Aurora fleet there will be a greater variation in which services are operated by Class 222 trains and which are operated by Auroras.



Operating two fleets makes it technically and operationally difficult to provide seat reservations as the seating layouts are different and the technology on the Class 222 is old and inflexible. While we know our customers value seat reservations, we also know that failing to honour a booked reservation is one of the biggest causes of dissatisfaction.



We have therefore taken the decision to remove seat reservations on all Intercity services from 1 April 2026 while we transition to our new Aurora fleet. We recognise that inconsistent reservations have created challenges and frustration for customers and colleagues. This temporary measure will allow us to provide greater certainty during the fleet transition.

 

[WesternLancer]

During March and April we plan to increase the number of Class 810 Aurora trains in passenger service to five, before introducing 10-car operation later in the spring. As we move through the transition to the full introduction of the Aurora fleet there will be a greater variation in which services are operated by Class 222 trains and which are operated by Auroras.



Operating two fleets makes it technically and operationally difficult to provide seat reservations as the seating layouts are different and the technology on the Class 222 is old and inflexible. While we know our customers value seat reservations, we also know that failing to honour a booked reservation is one of the biggest causes of dissatisfaction.



We have therefore taken the decision to remove seat reservations on all Intercity services from 1 April 2026 while we transition to our new Aurora fleet. We recognise that inconsistent reservations have created challenges and frustration for customers and colleagues. This temporary measure will allow us to provide greater certainty during the fleet transition.

Whilst this will be frustrating for some passengers (including me at some times but not at others!) I suspect this is for the best under the circumstances

I suspect the question people will ask is - 'are they ever coming back?' when full 810 fleet in operation and all 222 withdrawn

 

[SirAlf]

During March and April we plan to increase the number of Class 810 Aurora trains in passenger service to five, before introducing 10-car operation later in the spring. As we move through the transition to the full introduction of the Aurora fleet there will be a greater variation in which services are operated by Class 222 trains and which are operated by Auroras.



Operating two fleets makes it technically and operationally difficult to provide seat reservations as the seating layouts are different and the technology on the Class 222 is old and inflexible. While we know our customers value seat reservations, we also know that failing to honour a booked reservation is one of the biggest causes of dissatisfaction.



We have therefore taken the decision to remove seat reservations on all Intercity services from 1 April 2026 while we transition to our new Aurora fleet. We recognise that inconsistent reservations have created challenges and frustration for customers and colleagues. This temporary measure will allow us to provide greater certainty during the fleet transition.

That clarifies things. One question though. Presumably its an official EMR statement but could I ask where it has come from? It’s probably on their website but I can’t see it

 

[Kite159]

Pick the right trains on LNER in 1st class and enjoy the journey far more than what Transport UK (badged as EMR) offer

But more likely it will cost a lot more so it's a bit of a mute point.

 

[worldsteam]

That clarifies things. One question though. Presumably its an official EMR statement but could I ask where it has come from? It’s probably on their website but I can’t see it

Message to EMR stakeholders earlier this week. These tend to be just ahead of the wider public announcement. Something with a specific date may be nearer that date, although stakeholders may have been updated sometime before.

 

[edwin_m]

I don't really see why not offering reservations at all is somehow better than offering reservations on some trains. And couldn't they arrange to only sell seats that exist on both fleets, with the caveat that people might not get their choice of table/window/aisle? Both fleets on-board systems must take reservations from the national system (CRS or whatever it is now) so technical incompatibility isn't an issue.

 

[robbeech]

I don't really see why not offering reservations at all is somehow better than offering reservations on some trains. And couldn't they arrange to only sell seats that exist on both fleets, with the caveat that people might not get their choice of table/window/aisle? Both fleets on-board systems must take reservations from the national system (CRS or whatever it is now) so technical incompatibility isn't an issue.

They could, if the carriage letters match up, which someone more in the know will be able to confirm.

I believe the new trains have more seats so naturally it ought to be easy enough to do this.

However, if a family of 4 book a table and end up with Hal a table and 2 airlines across from it then this might be more of an issue than just letting them fight for a table.

You also have to remember that for that part of the railway (ie not the staff on the ground) the focus remains on not doing anything.

 

[Adam Williams]

The reservation system does support set swaps. LNER use it for their extended horizon to re-accommodate customers en masse who were originally on an IC225 to an Azuma or vice-versa.

The "telling the retailer about the change" bit is more ropey, but there is at least some functionality here that would be of use.

 

[WesternLancer]

I don't really see why not offering reservations at all is somehow better than offering reservations on some trains. And couldn't they arrange to only sell seats that exist on both fleets, with the caveat that people might not get their choice of table/window/aisle? Both fleets on-board systems must take reservations from the national system (CRS or whatever it is now) so technical incompatibility isn't an issue.

I'm thinking they know due to the reliability problems we have seen there will be endless set swaps last minute in diagrams etc so this isn't practical and wil just cause more frustration - the easy option is to just suspend it 'for the duration'

 

[edwin_m]

I'm thinking they know due to the reliability problems we have seen there will be endless set swaps last minute in diagrams etc so this isn't practical and wil just cause more frustration - the easy option is to just suspend it 'for the duration'

It may be the easy option but I don't think it's the "right" option. It would be easy enough to reserve only the seats in each coach up to the number the 222 has (or the 810 has if it has fewer in the corresponding coach) and then if it's an 810 direct people to the seat with the same number. If they plan to use different coach letters then these could be implemented at a later date, after all the 222s have gone.

However, if a family of 4 book a table and end up with Hal a table and 2 airlines across from it then this might be more of an issue than just letting them fight for a table.

Half a table is better than no table at all?

They could ask people to be public-spirited and swap with others so everyone gets the type of seat they requested - there will always be at least as many seats a particular car than there are passengers with reservations.

 

[gmf72]

I’m trying to book a 1st Class ticket on EMR from St Pancras to Nottingham on Sunday 24th May.
Usually, I can choose my own seat (well, sort of - the website randomly allocates you a seat, but you can always start the booking process again and eventually get a seat you like).
However, even though I have ticked the box to get a reserved seat, at the checkout it says ‘sit at any unreserved First Class seat’. Which I really don’t like the sound of!
I have heard that weekend travel with EMR is chaotic, so ideally I really want a reserved seat.

Any ideas folks?

EMR have been 'rolling out new stock' since last year. That's the excuse they're using for only running 5 carriages instead of 10. We had an horrendous journey from Sheffield to London (2 adults + 2 toddlers). Booked 1st class but train announced people could sit anywhere. And they did, including inside toilets! People with luggage were blocking aisles and corridors (Health & Safety violation). Staff 'decided' they wouldn't give out the usual free snacks -understandable as they couldn't push a trolley down the aisles. But they could've easily walked through distributing bottles of water at least. When our 4-year old wanted to go to the loo, the people who were sitting there vacated but the floor was wet - horrible. Their toilets are never that clean and there's never any running water to wash hands. Today I just booked seats and the confirmation said: SIT IN ANY VACANT UNRESERVED SEAT INCLUDING FIRST CLASS" So I'm preparing myself for another journey from hell with EMR.

 

[Qwerty133]

EMR have been 'rolling out new stock' since last year. That's the excuse they're using for only running 5 carriages instead of 10. We had an horrendous journey from Sheffield to London (2 adults + 2 toddlers). Booked 1st class but train announced people could sit anywhere. And they did, including inside toilets! People with luggage were blocking aisles and corridors (Health & Safety violation). Staff 'decided' they wouldn't give out the usual free snacks -understandable as they couldn't push a trolley down the aisles. But they could've easily walked through distributing bottles of water at least. When our 4-year old wanted to go to the loo, the people who were sitting there vacated but the floor was wet - horrible. Their toilets are never that clean and there's never any running water to wash hands. Today I just booked seats and the confirmation said: SIT IN ANY VACANT UNRESERVED SEAT INCLUDING FIRST CLASS" So I'm preparing myself for another journey from hell with EMR.

I assume you had either paid for tickets for your toddlers or removed them from seats given under 5s travelling free are not meant to use seats required by paying passengers?
Otherwise you appear to be holding others to a standard that you are failing to meet.

 

[STINT47]

I travelled first class earlier this week and due to overcrowding people were invited to sit in any free first class seat and there were no catering.

Whilst I understand that te trains are overcrowded the whole point of paying for first was to get a more pleasant journey and refreshments. They're taking peoples money and then not providing the advertised service.

I might as well paid for standard instead of wasting my money.

 

[STINT47]

I did ask the train manager about claiming back the difference but sadly I'm not eligible. She said that as the train had first class accommodation, I got a seat in it and the refreshments are complimentary she couldn't give me a note to get a refund.