How to obtain reservations for ranger tickets

[ATW Alex 101]

Hi

I am planning to do a Cheshire day ranger trip on one Saturday and was looking to see if I can get reservations if on a ranger ticket. Upon summoning Google, Red spotted Hanky gave me this:

Seats can be reserved on most train operator services subject to availability. Reserving a seat is optional for the following ticket categories:
Standard Anytime
Standard Off-Peak
Rangers and Rovers (including BritRail)
Weekender-Superbreak (and other Inclusive tour tickets)
Standard Super Off-Peak-Season tickets
If you are travelling on an Advance ticket or a Business Package your seat reservation is included with your ticket. The details of your seat reservations will be printed along with your tickets and this information is also held in Your Account.

Things to note about seat reservations:
Only one seat reservation can be made per single journey
If you did not reserve a seat at the point of purchase we cannot guarantee you a seat, particularly at peak times.
In most cases you can board a train without a reservation if you hold an open ticket, however, there will be exceptions to this such as during busy periods (e.g. Christmas and some Bank Holidays).

My question is, how do I go about obtaining reservations for the trips I will make? I will be making quite a few trips. My first guess is that you ask at the ticket office for them, but the thing is I will be starting at Ellesmere Port and going to Helsby, so I will have to buy the ranger off the guard on the day as I want the ranger issued from an Avantix mobile (for my ticket collection, yes weird I know). As I will be getting the ticket on the day, is it not possible to get the reservations beforehand without a ranger ticket in my possession as I know you can't do reservations on the day. How would I go about this? If I can't make reservations if I get the ranger on the day, how do I get them the ranger ticket is brought in advance? Is it essential I buy the ranger beforehand if I want reservations, even?

Many thanks for help guys

 

[alex17595]

You will have to go to the station in advance with your itinerary and the ticket clerk should give you reservations (provided they are available.) You might as well get the ranger while you are there.

 

[156441]

If your near a station that has trains starting/terminating there nip down and ask one of the guards if he could quickly do you one and post date it (just a case of changing the date on the rover selection screen).

Then you could make your reservations!!

I'd ask yourself if your really going to need reservations on a Saturday though. Bear in mind you can't reserve on Northern/Merseyrail and most ATW services I can't really see the point?

 

[bb21]

The method suggested by 156441 might be the easiest. You can't normally obtain reservations at ticket offices without a ticket.

Another alternative is do it via telesales.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

OK thanks, guys! I will probably ask the guard doing the parliamentary at Ellesmere Port if he could issue me with a post dated Cheshire Day Ranger from his Avantix. Is there any reason why he/she could refuse and are they perfectly allowed as I wouldnt want to get them in trouble! 156441-when you say make your reservations, do you mean from the guard? Or will I have to go to the ticket office?

As for reservations, I like to get them where I can to ensure a seat. Thanks guys!

 

[bb21]

You can't make reservations on an Avantix machine as it is not connected to the central database. You will have to do it at a ticket office.

Not every guard is happy to sell Ranger tickets more than a few days in advance. If one says no, just accept it and try someone else.

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Yes of course, if I don't get an Avantix issued ranger it's not the end of the world. If I go to ELP tomorrow and I manage to obtain one I will make the reservations at the ticket office over the bridge.
CHeers

 

[185143]

I was also wondering if you can make reservations with a season ticket?

 

[bb21]

I was also wondering if you can make reservations with a season ticket?

Yes, you can.

 

[156441]

Guard should have no problem is during it. Having said that I think it's a Lime Street guard though so getting them to do anything might be hard!!

 

[ATW Alex 101]

Guard should have no problem is during it. Having said that I think it's a Lime Street guard though so getting them to do anything might be hard!!

Whys that? Or are you being sarcastic also did you intend to say "no problem doing it"?

 

[34D]

Another way is to try telesales departments over the telephone.

 

[156441]

Yes sarcasm mate. Lime St guards arn't massive fans of work! Also yes you spotted the typo. It's my iPhone autocorrecting stuff!!

 

[island]

I was also wondering if you can make reservations with a season ticket?

You can, but certain TOCs charge a reservation fee for this.