Cross Country Trains

[ValleyLines142]

Only EC trains; I assume the same is true for the XC site?

I've never done it before so wouldn't know. Sounds good though, my favourite seat on XC is the first table seats in the Quiet Zone.

 

[rappy]

I emailed XC yesterday to find out why you can change your seats on their website now. I also asked about why they have now started charging for picking up tickets from the station. Looking forward to their response.

 

[First class]

. I also asked about why they have now started charging for picking up tickets from the station. Looking forward to their response.

I believe it is because they offer a free print@home service.

It also isn't free for XC to let you pick up a ticket from a station! They have to pay the owner of the ticket machine a small fee per transaction, which obviously can mount up. That is being mitigated by charging customers to use other free alternatives.

 

[island]

They do offer free ticket collection when your journey includes a segment that is or may be operated by another TOC.

 

[swt_passenger]

I also asked about why they have now started charging for picking up tickets from the station. Looking forward to their response.

They'll probably just tell you it changed ages ago, and ask how come you haven't noticed before?

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It's not in CrossCountry's safety certificate to operate any stations im told.

But that is mixing up cause and effect isn't it?

The situation is that it just doesn't need to be in their safety case, because they are not required to operate stations under their franchise agreement.

 

[rappy]

They'll probably just tell you it changed ages ago, and ask how come you haven't noticed before?

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---



But that is mixing up cause and effect isn't it?

The situation is that it just doesn't need to be in their safety case, because they are not required to operate stations under their franchise agreement.

It's not changed ages ago though, only recently and if they say otherwise it's an outright lie. I book with them quite often and not been charged in the past. Imo if the service was free in the past then there's no reason to charge now. Don't like e tickets as it's a pain having to show staff it so they can let you through. If other train companies don't charge then there's no reason for them doing so. Makes a mockery of their 'no booking fee' slogan.

 

[AlterEgo]

It's not changed ages ago though, only recently and if they say otherwise it's an outright lie.

It was changed ages ago. I'm sure maybe a year? Perhaps someone else can advise?

 

[34D]

Don't like e tickets as it's a pain having to show staff it so they can let you through.

Some stations have a barcode scanner for e-tickets or m-tickets - Marylebone being one example.

 

[LexyBoy]

I also asked about why they have now started charging for picking up tickets from the station. Looking forward to their response.

Pick one or more stock responses from below:

• Tickets for journeys entirely with CrossCountry can be collected free of charge using our innovative Print@Home service. Other tickets can be collected at ticket machines with no charge.
• Our customers prefer the flexibility that Print@Home tickets deliver
• The savings made through e-ticketing are passed on in our fantastic value Advance fares
• We are charged by other TOCs to use their facilities, and regrettably must pass this on to a small number of customers
• Make sure to book online at crosscountry.co.uk for the best fares!
• Nobody says we can't
• We make more money

--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Chepstow and Lydney are mainly served by Arriva, only about six trains a day operated by CrossCountry call there.

ATW and XC are both Arriva

 

[swt_passenger]

It was changed ages ago. I'm sure maybe a year? Perhaps someone else can advise?

Definitely over a year - probably the Dec 2010 timetable change, if not before.

AIUI the charge is only made for jouneys wholly on XC services, because they can issue a XC 'print at home'. If the ticket is 'and connections' there might not be a fee.

 

[button_boxer]

If print at home is an option then they will charge you if you choose not to use it. If it isn't an option then you can pick up at the station for free.

As far as I can tell it's an option only on XC Only advance fares, not on XC&connections or any walk-up ticket (including XC only Anytimes).

 

[lyesbkz]

Only EC trains; I assume the same is true for the XC site?

Correct (or it was the last time I used it about a year ago).

 

[rappy]

Cross country trains still haven't replied to my email which is very unprofessional in my opinion.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Cross country trains still haven't replied to my email which is very unprofessional in my opinion.

Neither have London Underground!! I'm going to email them again tomorrow, as I made a complaint two weeks ago last Thursday! (19 Jan).

 

[noblergt]

If print at home is an option then they will charge you if you choose not to use it. If it isn't an option then you can pick up at the station for free.

As far as I can tell it's an option only on XC Only advance fares, not on XC&connections or any walk-up ticket (including XC only Anytimes).

I have been very confused by this thread since I've been booking XC advance fares regularly and never noticed this extra charge for picking up tickets. But thinking about it its probably because I always buy a PlusBus as well, so that's another way to 'avoid' the charge.