I’m not much of a fan of public transport. I appreciate the whole better for the environment thing, but I’m too much of a grumpy old man to deal with the “public”, and way too much of an idealist to accept the British concept of ” reliable transport”.
Never the less, circumstances have obtained which require me to organise a trip by train later this month. From Kilmarnock to the general vicinity of Coventry. This a three train excursion with 2 changes, and it must be conceded that with the price of petrol, and the need to negociate the Motorways at peak times, the journey time and price seem reasonably competitive.
It was, I must admit – as neophyte rail traveller – a tad confusing trying to make sense of the hundred travel options, not to say the dazzeling array of rail cards – two travel as one, under 72 years old special , senior student discount (valid Tuesdays only), The every third Thursday deal …
It takes a while, but we get booked.
So when I received an email from the booking company saying, ” Due to a change in timetable, your service from Carlisle (middle train) WILL NO LONGER RUN” I was not just “not best pleased” I was downright panicked!
Seemingly our ticket is valid on the earlier and later trains for the mid section, due to this change being outside our control – however, it is NOT valid for the earlier or later trains on the before and after legs (locked to sepcific train only), making it somewhat useless – and that’s despite the whole booking being done through one company!
They are at least offering a full refund on cancellation. I recall that after winnowing through the options when booking, there were actualy only a couple of way to complete this journey, so first I check what is on offer now….. to reveal… the exact same schedule that I currently have booked – same trains, same times, same companies, same seats (- which is odd).
I’ve had enough of this, so I hold out for speaking to “a person”.
“you are seventeeth in the queue” 09:01 (I got my call in early – thankfully)
“you are twelfth in the queue” 09:25
“you are sixth in the queue” 09:46
At 09:59 I get to speak to “Fiona” (again!) which I strongly suspect may be a “nom de telephone”.
According to Fiona the service is not stopped (that’s what the email you sent says) but “disrupted” by it’s new time table. However the new tickets will be available from…from.. from today? Except apparently they are not. Seemingly all the other trains on this section are “disrupted” too.
I attempt to have a converstion about the earlier (leg1) and later (leg3) trains, but I cannot surmount the language barrier, and all answers refer to the earlier – prior train on leg 2 – and later – following train on leg 2- till I am beating my head off the table.
I ask why the exact same journey is still available to purchase?
Seemingly the “disruption” (available to Fiona in more detail on her secret access) is variable and no-one actually knows (including Fiona) what is running. The best advice, the official from the horses mouth advice for my rail booking, is to call back the day before we travel to see……..
Apopleptic really doesn’t do me justice. I stand by my denial of the existance of worthwhile “British transport ” (Seemingly in Japan, a train driver who is late, is expected to resign – these days).
There was some good news.
The unannounced, but long planned rail strikes – for the very days we are travelling – have been cancelled due to the royal funeral. Every cloud has its silver lining.
Next week on IaDL : Damn the environment… how much are flights?
Dalmallyfest the Asylum 