What are the rules on luggage?

[rosscbrown]

If I remember correctly, you can pay extra to bring extra luggage with you. So how much can you take with you without paying extra? And do you have to pay even more if your luggage is stored under the table you are sitting at making the remaining three seats impossible to occupy?

Also, do you pay extra for your mobile phone to be sole occupant of a seat next to power - I ask as there was a guy on my train tonight who had decided that his phone was important enough to deserve a seat of its own a few seats in front of him so it could enjoy electricity from the outlet.

Not saying that I'm more important that his phone, but I would have enjoyed that unreserved seat, as would my computer have enjoyed the outlet and electricity that accompanied it.

 

[jopsuk]

Well, with regards your allowances, the rules are laid out here. Specifically:

Customers may take up to three items of personal luggage free of charge, this includes two large items (such as suitcases or rucksacks) and one item of smaller hand luggage (such as a briefcase). Full details of the free allowances are available at stations.

As to the other matters sounds like people were taking the **** somewhat. Was the luggage under the table and the mobile left somewhere that it could be nicked down to the same guy?

 

[dan_atki]

The problem is most staff turn a blind eye to how much luggage is actually being carried and do not mention anything about extra charges. On busier services on-train staff may ask people to move their luggage so as not to obstruct seats.

Although rare, I don't think it's completely unheard of for people buying two tickets for their journey so they can use a seat for luggage...

Full details of miscellaneous charges can be found at: http://www.atoctravelagents.org/clientfiles/File/Rail Directory/NFM99/NFM99 H.pdf

 

[me123]

Of course, buying a "bag seat" ticket does not entitle the bag to a seat as such. Not even people are guaranteed seats; the other ticket just increases your own "free allowance" which is most likely a waste of money.

 

[dan_atki]

Of course, buying a "bag seat" ticket does not entitle the bag to a seat as such. Not even people are guaranteed seats; the other ticket just increases your own "free allowance" which is most likely a waste of money.

Very true indeed.

Makes me wonder, though, what would happen if a guard told a passenger to remove their luggage from a seat for another passenger to be presented with a ticket for the luggage. I would hope common sense prevails and the guard still asks for the bags to be removed (cue argument between passenger and guard).

 

[me123]

They own two tickets. They are allowed twice the free allowance of luggage as a result. Their bags are still bags and must be removed from the seat for a passenger.

If I was a guard, I would ask for the bags to be removed to luggage racks or, if not, the passenger will be removed at the next station.

I have once been charged for using a bag seat, however. On a 320 once, I put a bass clarinet in the seat beside me. (I was 14 at the time) The instrument was not mine and costs about £10,000, and I wasn't happy about leaving it behind a seat at the other end of a carriage rolling through the East End of Glasgow. I was charged an adult fare. That week, I found that the Whifflet train was just as convenient and had luggage facilities, so I then used that service but that's still £3.20 or whatever down the drain.

And for anyone who's wondering:

It's about 5ft high and the case is pretty big.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

Fares and Retail Publication Portal (FRPP - Formerly the Retail Manual) says

Items conveyed for free

In passenger accommodation:

· 2x items of Luggage or Articles with maximum dimensions of 90 x 70 x 30 cm and a weight not exceeding 50kg.

· 1x additional items of Luggage or Articles with maximum dimensions of 55 x 40 x 20 cm and a weight not exceeding 50kg

· Pushchair

· Carrycot

· Wheelchairs and powered wheelchairs subject to a maximum width of 67 cm and length of 120 cm. Wheelchairs must be folded unless in use and located in a section designated for wheelchairs where provided.

· Mobility scooters on certain trains.

Items conveyed for a fee

Fee not exceeding half the adult fare for the journey subject to a maximum charge of £5.00 single or £10.00 return:

In passenger accommodation:

· each additional item in excess of a passenger’s free allowance

· any item with dimensions exceeding 90 x 70 x 30 cm and with maximum dimensions of 100 x 100 x 100 cm and a weight not exceeding 50kg.

· Musical instruments with dimensions not exceeding 100 x 100 x 100 cm and the weight not exceeding 50kg

In luggage van:

· Items of Luggage or Articles with maximum dimensions of 150 x 150 x 100 cm and a weight not exceeding 75kg.

· Golf Equipment

· Musical instruments with dimensions not exceeding 150 x 150 x 100 cm and the weight not exceeding 75kg.

· Skis and ski-boards

Items not carried

· Items of Luggage or Articles with dimensions exceeding 150 x 150 x 100 cm or with a weight exceeding 75kg

· Surfboards except on First Great Western High Speed Services for a fee applies not exceeding half the adult fare for each Surfboard subject to the maximum charge maximum charge of £5.00 single or £10.00 return.

· Canoes and Sailboards

· Motorcycles, mopeds & motor scooters

· Dangerous goods – inflammable liquids, explosives

· Unloaded Guns (although may be subject to individual Train Company dispensation)

· Loaded guns

· Furniture

Items that can be refused

A Train Company may refuse to accept Luggage or Articles in passenger accommodation if any of the following apply:

· the dimensions of the item exceed 100 x 100 x 100 cm; or

· the item would obstruct doorways, gangways or corridors;

· it may cause injury, inconvenience or a nuisance or it may cause damage to property;

· there is not enough room for it;

· the loading or unloading may cause delay to trains; or

· it is not carried or packaged in a suitable manner.

· in the opinion of the Train Company’s staff, the item is only suitable to be conveyed in a luggage van.

· 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 the journey and also if a change of train is needed.

If this is actually adhered to is another matter entirely. The NCoC says:

Each passenger (aged 5 years or more) may take three small items into a
train free of charge, however, the dimensions of only two of these items may
exceed 55 x 40 x 20 cm.

So it matters not how many tickets you have, but how many of you there are.

 

[First class]

I actually got a ticket on board once endorsed PRAAA, but that was some time ago... cost was about £1 if I remember rightly...

I had a lot of luggage that day and travelled from Liverpool-Portsmouth direct.