TPE advance - Where are they

[RAZOR1965]

Hi

I'm waiting to buy some TPE advance tickets in late April. I see there are no advance tickets on sale past end of March. Is there something I should be aware of?

I'm sorry but I don't really keep my ear to the ground, or rail to keep up with things.

Anybody know what's going on?

Thanks
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Sorry, the National Rail site says : North West services are only open until 31 March.

Can't find out why?
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Well, I'm sorry, I just checked and they are now there up to end of April. Apologies.

But a bit of Google has revealed First changes on the route too.

Thanks anyway chaps.

 

[northwichcat]

After 1st April the North West services will be operated by the new Arriva Northern franchise opposed to TPE but other than changing the operator name on the announcements and the crew wearing a different uniform you probably won't notice any differences initially.

 

[Solent&Wessex]

No immediate change of uniform for TPE - just a new name badge and tie until the new trains start to arrive when a new uniform will be launched to coincide with that. I believe Northern are keeping their existing uniform too.

I think the principal reason for lack of Advance fares and reservations was uncertainty over who would be operating the trains and with what stock. I understand now that between franchise change in April and timetable change in May the services currently operated by TPE will still be operated by TPE and managed in the same way as they are now. Indeed NRE and RTT shows them as TPE operated services. I think the arrangements after the May timetable change are still fluid however.

 

[Eboordna]

They weren't available because Arriva will be operating them, albeit with some TPE stock which will be hired in every day, and most if not all staff with be ex-TPE or hired in from TPE. This meant Arriva had the decision over when or whether to open them for AP, and how to Revenue Manage them, which takes some planning and decisions from senior Arriva management.

 

[55z]

You haven't said which route you are trying to book for. Manchester to Blackpool/Barrow/Windermere become part of the Arriva Rail North franchise. ARN will have to hire in 185s for some of these services . The word is HIRE so ARN will keep the revenue and pay TPE to hire the 185s. There are advance fares on the current Northrn website for travel after 1st April, 2016. It maybe that they are only available on Northern website or they have not finalised details of stock on the route you want. Keep trying.

 

[Eboordna]

You haven't said which route you are trying to book for. Manchester to Blackpool/Barrow/Windermere become part of the Arriva Rail North franchise. ARN will have to hire in 185s for some of these services . The word is HIRE so ARN will keep the revenue and pay TPE to hire the 185s. There are advance fares on the current Northrn website for travel after 1st April, 2016. It maybe that they are only available on Northern website or they have not finalised details of stock on the route you want. Keep trying.

What you say about the units is correct, except units have been finalised at least through to the May TT change. The tickets have been available since last Thursday, generally speaking, through all sales channels.

 

[RAZOR1965]

Thanks for the interesting comments chaps.

I'm doing Scarborough to Liverpool on a SUnday. Some of the Sunday's are now up in April so when my date comes around I'll be fine I think.

A nice surprise is the Price for the time I want is now showing at £16.50 rather than £23 ish as it was before 1st April departures. Don't know if that's coincidence. Scarborough to Liverpool, with a table, with friends, wine, olives, cake, etc, all after cycling Workington to Scarborough via Penrith and Thirsk, all for £16.50???. Can't wait.