Do TFW offered actual seat reservations?

[gray1404]

I've just booked an Anytime Single Manchester to Crewe. Also an Advance Single Newport to Chester. Both on TFW. In both places I've received counted place rather then real seat reservations. Do TFW not offer real reservations?

 

[6Gman]

They certainly used to.

 

[trainophile]

No not nowadays, sadly.

 

[Llanigraham]

The last couple of journeys I've had they haven't offered any.

 

[gray1404]

Thanks

 

[SickyNicky]

Pre pandemic, they didn't give you a seat reservation on an advance ticket, but did on a walkup ticket. If you wanted a reservation on an advance, I found the ticket office staffing (generally, but with some exceptions) willing to help out.

 

[Dr Day]

Certainly a few years ago the default was counted place, but actual reservations were always available if you asked. The mechanics of ‘asking’ have got more difficult with the transition to more automated retailing though. The whole rationale is avoiding the costs of implementing physical reservations which on some more traditional regional and urban unit types is more difficult than others.

 

[Llanigraham]

Pre pandemic, they didn't give you a seat reservation on an advance ticket, but did on a walkup ticket. If you wanted a reservation on an advance, I found the ticket office staffing (generally, but with some exceptions) willing to help out.

Really? I always booked a seat when I bought my ticket in advance and always got a reservation.

 

[gray1404]

So it sounds like they no longer offer seat reservations?

 

[mmh]

I've not seen any seat back reservation tickets on a TFW train in a long time.

 

[trainophile]

Really? I always booked a seat when I bought my ticket in advance and always got a reservation.

How many years ago was that? Definitely no reservations for the last couple of years, if not longer. Although an old lady at Newport pushed her way onto the train on Friday waving a piece of paper and saying "I have a reservation so I must get to it before someone else does". I think they may have given her something denoting she had priority or whatever, as there's no official reservations currently nor any prospect of them returning, which is annoying,

 

[Llanigraham]

How many years ago was that? Definitely no reservations for the last couple of years, if not longer. Although an old lady at Newport pushed her way onto the train on Friday waving a piece of paper and saying "I have a reservation so I must get to it before someone else does". I think they may have given her something denoting she had priority or whatever, as there's no official reservations currently nor any prospect of them returning, which is annoying,

For atleast 5 years immediately before and up to Covid. I would regularly book Caersws to Euston and have had seats booked on both legs, and for the return. I've also had booked seats if I have gone Ludlow - Newport - Paddington. Tickets booked via the ATW website.
As stated, since Covid I have not been able to reserve seats.