Rail Users Ireland Forum

Go Back   Rail Users Ireland Forum > Irish Rail Customer Service Issues > Intercity and Regional
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Unread 22-09-2017, 17:31   #1
James Howard
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
James Howard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sligo Line
Posts: 1,115
Default Booking is a mess

Having just come gone cold turkey after nearly 15 years of a commuter pass, I'm a bit of a newbie regarding booking seats. That being said I do have my preferences for a seat based on long experience of which are the quieter cars on the Sligo line and what works best for getting a bit of work done.

So it is somewhat bizarre that despite my long years of commuting it is not possible to figure out from the seating chart that I can request a rearward facing window seat with the window to my left on the 2nd carriage from the back of an up Sligo train. God help anyone with no experience.

Even then when I manage to guess the correct carriage and the correct direction, the probability of my booking being indicated above the seat is about 50% at best. And then even if my booking is honoured, every single time there has been somebody sitting in my seat so it is less hassle to just pick a random seat rather than do battle for my seat.

I would actually rather do without the seat reservation at all yet this is not possible with online booking. Kudos to Irish Rail for turning the perk of seat reservations into an actual hindrance. Seriously though, why do they even bother with this ridiculous system that just wrecks everyone's heads.
James Howard is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 22-09-2017, 18:34   #2
Jamie2k9
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,146
Default

ICRs get turned so often it would be fruitless to attempt to bring it in. From experience its never really an issue, you get the odd one or two who swap sides when possible.
Jamie2k9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 23-09-2017, 07:14   #3
James Howard
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
James Howard's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Sligo Line
Posts: 1,115
Default

Just adding a no seat reservation required option to the booking website would solve most of the issues. On Sligo there seems to be quite a big issue with people not sitting in booked seats. Well, it's not so much of a big issue as just being quite widespread. The entire concept of having seat reservations just doesn't work on the Sligo line.

I'd say the reason is a combination of people not caring, people not knowing which end of a 170m long train is which and people wanting to travel facing forward who have accidentally booked a rearward facing seat.
James Howard is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 23-09-2017, 13:32   #4
Jamie2k9
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,146
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by James Howard View Post
Just adding a no seat reservation required option to the booking website would solve most of the issues. On Sligo there seems to be quite a big issue with people not sitting in booked seats. Well, it's not so much of a big issue as just being quite widespread. The entire concept of having seat reservations just doesn't work on the Sligo line.

I'd say the reason is a combination of people not caring, people not knowing which end of a 170m long train is which and people wanting to travel facing forward who have accidentally booked a rearward facing seat.
I agree it would be nice, I reckon 30-40% pre booked seats are not taken up by those who book and I must admit at times I am guilty of booking a seat and not sitting in it. Most turn up but just can't be bothered looking for it.
Jamie2k9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 27-09-2017, 07:49   #5
Mark Gleeson
Technical Officer
 
Mark Gleeson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Coach C, Seat 33
Posts: 12,669
Default

Let us know the exact dates and time of trains where the names did not display so we can follow up

Hard data gets results.

Seat direction is only available Dublin Belfast and on select Dublin Cork services as there is no way to know which way around the train will be as the sets get turned around at Limerick Junction and Kilkenny on a regular basis
Mark Gleeson is offline   Reply With Quote
Unread 01-10-2017, 21:18   #6
Jamie2k9
Really Really Regluar Poster
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,146
Default

One thing I have noticed twice in the last week is reservations have disappeared once a driver moves ends.

Not paid much attention before but I don't think it happened a lot before.
Jamie2k9 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 10:26.


Powered by vBulletin
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.