App Tickets "unavailable" putting off passengers

[josh-j]

I'm currently sitting on a nearly empty train, running on time. The first train on Trainline and the TOC's app that I could have bought a ticket for is three hours later. In fact the TOC doesn't even show the earlier trains at all if you try to buy tickets.

Am I missing something with the way the ticketing data is input, is there any reason for this to happen or is it extreme caution in discouraging travel on the earlier services in case of post-strike disruption?

If a train is running tickets should be available online as well as offline surely; the distinction is a pretty silly looking one these days ☹️ Sorry I guess this is a bit of a rant... What a bad time we're in hey. Things like this must surely be putting people off from rail.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

@josh-j.What's the journey? How did you ascertain that the train you're on was actually running? Did you manage to get a ticket elsewhere? Have you had to pay any extra?

 

[Chrisbolton]

Ive had a weird problem too in booking advance Manchester - Leeds tickets from TPE, it just wont go through, frustratingly it does on Trainline!

 

[josh-j]

Yep Leeds to Manchester route for me too, Transpennine. I knew it was running because it showed in live trains - this isn't the first time I've encountered this either, so if the usual trains aren't showing I now automatically assume they probably are really running and go check the live times before heading out.

I bought a paper ticket at the station then boarded the almost empty train. I'm not having a go at anyone, it's just a bizarre and increasingly commonplace thing which isn't going to make sense to most people - and I expect lots of people would just assume there are no trains, in my case, all morning. Meanwhile it is pretty much a normal service on this route (obviously not everywhere, this morning).

 

[Chrisbolton]

I always go for the slightly slower but way cheaper Northern service - mine was cancelled anyway

 

[Wallsendmag]

Try the LNER app we only have a 5 minute booking headway

 

[yorkie]

Ive had a weird problem too in booking advance Manchester - Leeds tickets from TPE, it just wont go through, frustratingly it does on Trainline!

Did you try Trainsplit?

Yep Leeds to Manchester route for me too, Transpennine. I knew it was running because it showed in live trains - this isn't the first time I've encountered this either, so if the usual trains aren't showing I now automatically assume they probably are really running and go check the live times before heading out.

I bought a paper ticket at the station then boarded the almost empty train. I'm not having a go at anyone, it's just a bizarre and increasingly commonplace thing which isn't going to make sense to most people - and I expect lots of people would just assume there are no trains, in my case, all morning. Meanwhile it is pretty much a normal service on this route (obviously not everywhere, this morning).

Which train is it? Which website(s) did you try?

 

[Wallsendmag]

Some sites still have a two hour headway that used to apply for ToD bookings with eTickets available on most routes this simply isn't necessary

 

[Haywain]

Try the LNER app we only have a 5 minute booking headway

Although you have to select a time at least 15 minutes from 'now' and then select earlier trains.

 

[Birmingham]

I'm guessing the problem here is reservations compulsory but no reservations available for the desired service (either never made available or all sold out)? We got this a lot with intercity services during COVID.

 

[Adam Williams]

I'm guessing the problem here is reservations compulsory but no reservations available for the desired service (either never made available or all sold out)? We got this a lot with intercity services during COVID.

It sounded like that to me, too.

 

[td97]

Try the LNER app we only have a 5 minute booking headway

Some sites still have a two hour headway that used to apply for ToD bookings with eTickets available on most routes this simply isn't necessary

Strangely on LNER, e-tickets aren't available on some journeys, but are on Trainline apps (Northern/XC for example).
Bromley Cross to Manchester Victoria is one such example.

 

[OscarH]

Strangely on LNER, e-tickets aren't available on some journeys, but are on Trainline apps (Northern/XC for example).
Bromley Cross to Manchester Victoria is one such example.

This is likely down to the fact LNER, like most retailers, follow the industry rules about when e-tickets are allowed, whereas Trainline and its whitelabels like to ignore the rules and do their own thing

 

[Bungle965]

Strangely on LNER, e-tickets aren't available on some journeys, but are on Trainline apps (Northern/XC for example).
Bromley Cross to Manchester Victoria is one such example.

This is likely down to the fact LNER, like most retailers, follow the industry rules about when e-tickets are allowed, whereas Trainline and its whitelabels like to ignore the rules and do their own thing

The worst for this is when it gives Cross-London tickets E-Tickets, this has been raised to Trainline before and have been told that this is because the customer has selected an itinerary which doesn’t involve crossing London…

 

[yorkie]

There are some flows enabled for e tickets, which can be issued as such providing the itinerary doesn't involve LU. But the ticket could be used on LU.

 

[Bungle965]

There are some flows enabled for e tickets, which can be issued as such providing the itinerary doesn't involve LU. But the ticket could be used on LU.

To be clear, there are copious examples of Trainline issuing E-Tickets for routes where they are not enabled for E-Ticket fulfilment on RCS.