GWR reduced capacity

[mrcheek]

When booking a ticket with GWR, they are still insisting you make a reservation on most services. They are also advising " Once a train reaches its seating capacity our systems will not allow bookings to be made. And, we won’t be able to guarantee you’ll be able to board "

Obviously there will be passengers also travelling on open tickets, seasons, and rovers who will not have a reservation.

Does anyone know how well this is working in practice? Has anyone been blocked from boarding a GWR service because they lacked a reservation? Or is it still always possible to board without one?

 

[Emaharg]

I have only been on 3 IET services in past 6 days. No reservations on this service on the boards on each departure.
You can reserve a PLACE on the train as a guarantee, but the services are very lightly loaded. You will not be reserved an identifiable seat number.
Either phone the GWR number very limited hours and response or WhatsApp a message with ticket details to 07890 608043 and they will give a quick response and Jpg of your reserved place on desired service. As an aside the only major long distance operator not providing catering.

 

[FQTV]

As an aside the only major long distance operator not providing catering.

I had catering on my Paddington <> Penzances last month, both of which were ten car units and there was catering in both portions of each. The choice was limited though, of course, and I would still recommending buying before boarding for certainty.

 

[mrcheek]

Has anyone travelled on the Cardiff-Portsmouth services lately? What are the loadings like? Are reservations likely to be needed?

 

[james60059]

On Saturday (12/09), I did a Cheap Day Return - no reservations between Didcot Parkway and Reading. No issues, although it is only a short distance

 

[Romsey]

Has anyone travelled on the Cardiff-Portsmouth services lately? What are the loadings like? Are reservations likely to be needed?

Most trains are 3 car and lighter loaded than 5 car formations before March. Thee are odd exceptions for short stages with local traffic peaks such as school traffic 1550 Romsey to Southampton.

 

[ValleyLines142]

Has anyone travelled on the Cardiff-Portsmouth services lately? What are the loadings like? Are reservations likely to be needed?

They're starting to become a little more busier. Annoyingly, GWR have also blocked off each declassified first class section on their Turbos, which has resulted in social distancing starting to become a little tricky. I recommend avoiding peak time travel.

 

[CC 72100]

Most trains are 3 car and lighter loaded than 5 car formations before March. Thee are odd exceptions for short stages with local traffic peaks such as school traffic 1550 Romsey to Southampton.

Now back up to 5-car as the 'standard' on most if not all diagrams, as per before COVID.