Great weekend, spoiled at the end

[delt1c]

Just had my parents down for my daughters wedding, they travelled Bathgate to Edinburgh then Edinburgh to Stevenage and were very impressed on both journeys, especially with the 91 and Mk4s. Returning yesterday they travelled Kings to to Edinburgh by HST, in their words nice but not as nice as the southbound even though both were refurbished. For the return trip they were acompanied by family from Australia and this was their 1st real train trip, likewise the trip to Edinburgh was thouroughly enjoyed. Arriving at Edinburgh yesterday evening they discovered that the Bathgate service was replaced by buses, but that didnt pose a problem, the problem was that the sign in Edinburgh waverly informed them that large luggage couldnt be conveyed. The result was 4 OAP's had to take a taxi costing £50 insted of £4 for train fares.
Called Scotrail today, initially the chap said it was not First Group that make the rules , it is down to the bus company, after a bit of ear bending he finnally tok details and agreed to have the matter investigated.
I can understand not taking cycles stc on buses but large suitcases that can be conveyed on the train as hand luggage xsurely should be accepted on the buses.

 

[yorkie]

How big were the cases exactly?

If they were no larger than the maximum size permitted in the NCoC then I agree it's wrong that it wasn't conveyed (but it's wrong that cycles are not conveyed also!)

 

[devon_metro]

Buses always refuse cases, its standard RRB policy.

 

[delt1c]

These were standard sized cases as taken on the HST from London and placed in the luggage racks in the coach.

 

[Max]

Surely if it was a rail replacement bus, these are generally coaches and therefore have loads of luggage space - probably more so than a train! Was it short notice engineering, or had it been planned well in advance and details of buses published? If it's the latter, such notices generally warn passengers that bulky luggage isn't conveyed. It does seem a bit off in this case though if the bags were not very large!

 

[delt1c]

It was planned engineering works, but the sighn at Edinburgh said no large luggage.

 

[fgwrich]

It can vary bus wise - Most, if not all of the time it's down to the TOC's to orginise rail replacement buses and what times of the day / service levels... down here in Basingstoke, when theres major engineering works like say, the junction or the signalling project, then we usally have coaches, but late at night with the 0105 service, last time i did that it terminated here and stAgecoch provided buses from here to work to southampton central...same situation on the basingstoke - reading line, most sunday mornings, the first 2 services are subsituted buy rail replacement buses, usaly provided by First bus, though in recent weeks they have hired in coaches...

 

[Tom B]

If it can be carried on a train, surely it ought to be carried on a bus - otherwise, it can't claim to be a *railway replacement* bus, surely? And if it can't be carried on the bus, then the company can pay for taxis.

 

[Thewanderer]

My thoughts exactly Tom.

 

[Metroland]

From NRCOC

60. Carriage by road vehicles

These Conditions apply to passengers travelling and luggage, articles, animals and
cycles conveyed in road vehicles provided by a Train Company or its agents unless
notice is given to show that different conditions apply. The term “train” in this
context includes any road vehicle owned or operated by a Train Company or on its
behalf.

A Train Company may replace a train with a road vehicle at short notice or on a
planned basis and your journey time may be extended. The Train Company may
refuse to accept some types of luggage, articles, animals and cycles in accordance
with Condition 49.

49. Restrictions
Any Train Company may (notwithstanding the terms set out in Conditions 46 to 48
and Appendix B) refuse to accept an item of luggage, an article, an animal or a
cycle if, in the opinion of its staff:
(a) it may cause injury, inconvenience or a nuisance or it may cause damage to
property;
(b) there is not enough room for it;
(c) the loading or unloading may cause delay to trains; or
(d) it is not carried or packaged in a suitable manner.

Any Train Company’s staff may refuse to accept an item of luggage, an article, an
animal or a cycle even if it has been conveyed by train in the past. This Condition
applies from the start of your journey and also if you need to change trains. Other
terms, conditions and restrictions are set out in Appendix B.

Personally I hate Rail replacement buses with a passion, and the train company should at the very least help passengers as best as possible, I even think its a cheek asking for rail fares for bus comfort.

 

[djw1981]

It was just standard First double deckers doing the RRS. Depending on the loadings, some drivers will allow the large luggage, others won't.

 

[Jim]

It was just standard First double deckers doing the RRS. Depending on the loadings, some drivers will allow the large luggage, others won't.

Which is within their right.