I was looking at train times for tomorrow and it appears TPE have finally lost the plot and jumped on the compulsory reservations bandwagon. For a TOC that has a high level of commuter traffic surely this is utterly ludicrous?
What can we, as passengers, do to combat this? I for one will be boycotting all app based bookings on TPE and supporting my local ticket office, deliberately not making reservations as well as making my feelings known.
A further question: Are there any stations along the route with only 'journey planner' style TVMs which will enforce the compulsory reservations? If so what would TPE's attitude be towards such passengers buying on board, as there was no opportunity to purchase?
I think we can all guess they'll still try to penalty fare passengers if this is the case!
This along with closing ticket offices stinks of contempt for the commuting public and reinforces the message that the only passengers that matter are season ticket holders and leisure travellers.
For those of use who commute largely off peak (such as supermarket workers, like myself, who kept this country fed, along with many other key workers who have similar off beat commuting patterns for which seasons make no sense) it's a big slap in the face!
Don't they realise some of us would rather have to stand than not get somewhere on time? Have the railways, even though now more publicly funded given up any pretence of providing a public service?
What can we, as passengers, do to combat this? I for one will be boycotting all app based bookings on TPE and supporting my local ticket office, deliberately not making reservations as well as making my feelings known.
A further question: Are there any stations along the route with only 'journey planner' style TVMs which will enforce the compulsory reservations? If so what would TPE's attitude be towards such passengers buying on board, as there was no opportunity to purchase?
I think we can all guess they'll still try to penalty fare passengers if this is the case!
This along with closing ticket offices stinks of contempt for the commuting public and reinforces the message that the only passengers that matter are season ticket holders and leisure travellers.
For those of use who commute largely off peak (such as supermarket workers, like myself, who kept this country fed, along with many other key workers who have similar off beat commuting patterns for which seasons make no sense) it's a big slap in the face!
Don't they realise some of us would rather have to stand than not get somewhere on time? Have the railways, even though now more publicly funded given up any pretence of providing a public service?
