Parham Wood
Member
- Joined
- 13 Jun 2011
- Messages
- 335
As an infrequent rail traveller I just wanted to comment on my trip on the 19th June from Briston TM (dep 8:54) via Newport (9:36) to Llandudno Jnc.
1. Ticket Purchase - I was looking on line for the cheapest single fare for morning travel. Eventually found one for £40 as I could not get to BTM by bus for earlier cheaper ticket. However Nat Rail Enquiries did try to offer the above route in the afternoon with a 6 min change at Newport which I thought to be too tight. No problem with collecting at BTM although the machine did reject my card on the first attempt. (Second scare of the day as the bus indicator showed bus 30 min late but it turned up on time).
2. Seat Reservation - No problem reserving on line for BTM to Newport but could not do so for the Arriva section. Web site said to go to an Arriva station - none near me. Apparently I could have phoned up but it slipped my memory, anyway I got a seat.
3. Newport - Could not see any indicators on the platforms showing from where trains left only the next trains from the platform you were on. A partially disabled passenger who could not walk quickly whom I met would have been disadvantaged for a quick connection (mine was leisurely). He also could not find any staff to ask. This needs rectifying.
4. Newport - Llandudno Jnc. Through train which was more or less full for most of the way and nearing Chester was standing. Could have done with three cars. Useful that there was luggage space at the ends as main passengers were travelling with luggage and it was piled high at Chester. Train very comfortable but the aircon a little cold.
5. Crew - Very pleasant trolley buffet staff (one a trainee I think). Coffee was fine. Conductor/guard to Chester - very pleasant as well and helpful. Back to the old thing of conductor walking through train and asking to see tickets for passengers who got on at the last stop. Even the new conductor from Chester did not ask to see tickets of those already on board.
6. Other comments - A couple of minutes late only - not bad for a trip of that length and number of stops. Only saw one moving freight on whole journey - coal heading South. Lovelly scenery for a lot of the way. On the whole a very pleasant journey so my compliments to all concerned. The only negative is the ticket price. £40 is bearable and would have been reduced with a railcard, but £88 at most other times is too expensive particularly if two adults or more travelling. Mind you Nat Xpress bus was £100+ via Liverpool and a ten hour trip. End to end time 6hrs 15 min including walking to bus stop. Came back by car in 4hrs 15min so given I had to bus for an hour not bad!
1. Ticket Purchase - I was looking on line for the cheapest single fare for morning travel. Eventually found one for £40 as I could not get to BTM by bus for earlier cheaper ticket. However Nat Rail Enquiries did try to offer the above route in the afternoon with a 6 min change at Newport which I thought to be too tight. No problem with collecting at BTM although the machine did reject my card on the first attempt. (Second scare of the day as the bus indicator showed bus 30 min late but it turned up on time).
2. Seat Reservation - No problem reserving on line for BTM to Newport but could not do so for the Arriva section. Web site said to go to an Arriva station - none near me. Apparently I could have phoned up but it slipped my memory, anyway I got a seat.
3. Newport - Could not see any indicators on the platforms showing from where trains left only the next trains from the platform you were on. A partially disabled passenger who could not walk quickly whom I met would have been disadvantaged for a quick connection (mine was leisurely). He also could not find any staff to ask. This needs rectifying.
4. Newport - Llandudno Jnc. Through train which was more or less full for most of the way and nearing Chester was standing. Could have done with three cars. Useful that there was luggage space at the ends as main passengers were travelling with luggage and it was piled high at Chester. Train very comfortable but the aircon a little cold.
5. Crew - Very pleasant trolley buffet staff (one a trainee I think). Coffee was fine. Conductor/guard to Chester - very pleasant as well and helpful. Back to the old thing of conductor walking through train and asking to see tickets for passengers who got on at the last stop. Even the new conductor from Chester did not ask to see tickets of those already on board.
6. Other comments - A couple of minutes late only - not bad for a trip of that length and number of stops. Only saw one moving freight on whole journey - coal heading South. Lovelly scenery for a lot of the way. On the whole a very pleasant journey so my compliments to all concerned. The only negative is the ticket price. £40 is bearable and would have been reduced with a railcard, but £88 at most other times is too expensive particularly if two adults or more travelling. Mind you Nat Xpress bus was £100+ via Liverpool and a ten hour trip. End to end time 6hrs 15 min including walking to bus stop. Came back by car in 4hrs 15min so given I had to bus for an hour not bad!
