Inter-city Train Bookings
 

Barry Kenny on RTE radio this evening said

1. To book your train seat online for Christmas
2. To arrive at your train station to allow lots of time before departure

Are these two not mutually exclusive?

If you have booked a seat, then surely you can show up 10 mins before the train goes and take your seat?

But seat bookings are an absolute farce, they don't work

There was a huge queue at 15:45 for the 16:45 to Westport. I wonder did they all book their tickets?

It wasn't sold out.

Most of the time the booking system falls on its face due to laziness.

Worst story in in recent times, 83 year old granny and grandson traveling together with reserved seats. They stood over 60 miles. No train host seen and the only member of staff to be found took no action. Thats the reality out there on the ground.

On the other hand, on this mornings 0820 to Westport, there were names above empty seats. People are booking and then sitting elsewhere.

Of course there then follows the situation where you board the seat res system is turned off, only to be turned on 5 minutes before departure. Its not exactly easy to find coach A on a Intercity Railcar if the IT is switched off

Passengers boarding at a terminal station are supposed to be there 20 minutes before departure.

I travelled yesterday, arriving about 10 minutes before departure. No reservations seemed to be being respected.

Interestingly, the moment the door release button is pressed at a station, all the bookings to that station disappear instantly - as it should be I suppose.