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MrX · 14-11-2006, 11:05

Don't see how it'd be a big problem for monthly / annual etc ticket holder.

Just issue all of them with a magstripe card or Smart Card for an annual ticket and an allow them to create an account on the online reservations system:

You could either
a) Book online picking your seat at no extra charge, which would be a lot handier than arriving to a full train and having to fight for a seat. Just stick your annual ticket into a ticket collection machine and your boarding pass ticket would pop out with your seat reservation etc.

or b) If you're just arriving at a train without reserving, just stick your annual / monthly ticket (hard plastic magstripe card) into the ticket machine and it'll spit out a ticket with a seat number on it. Perhaps allowing you to pick a few seat options on the screen. Thus, you've a seat.

c) Present your annual ticket to the ticket desk person who can assign you a seat and issue a boarding ticket.

I really, can't see what the big deal about implementing a system like that would be. They have the machines, it's just a bit of software tweaking.

It's no different from airline boarding passes.

Also, it's not THAT inconvenient for annual ticket holders as you're only talking about doing this on serious intercity routes i.e. not just "long hop" commuters.

All IE intercity stock should have the ability to electronically reserve / assign a seat before long. So, with the exception of the enterprise, there really shouldn't be a big fuss about it on most routes.

I mean, many european coach (bus) operators issue seating numbers on intercity coaches !! It's *not* that big a deal.

For people just arriving at a train (without any annual etc tickets)

You can :
a) Go to ticket desk - purchase ticket.. they'll have a seating map on the screen and just assign you a seat.
b) Go to ticket machine - purchase ticket - simplified seating map or "automatic assignment" of seat.

You get a card with a seat number on it.

That's how it's done on many european routes. It's really quite easy and user friendly.
The technology's there! You might as well use it.

40-50% of seats would be a good start though.

I can see it being more popular than they thought, people are well used to booking flights online thesedays.

14-11-2006, 11:05	#55
MrX Really Regular Poster Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 585	Don't see how it'd be a big problem for monthly / annual etc ticket holder. Just issue all of them with a magstripe card or Smart Card for an annual ticket and an allow them to create an account on the online reservations system: You could either a) Book online picking your seat at no extra charge, which would be a lot handier than arriving to a full train and having to fight for a seat. Just stick your annual ticket into a ticket collection machine and your boarding pass ticket would pop out with your seat reservation etc. or b) If you're just arriving at a train without reserving, just stick your annual / monthly ticket (hard plastic magstripe card) into the ticket machine and it'll spit out a ticket with a seat number on it. Perhaps allowing you to pick a few seat options on the screen. Thus, you've a seat. c) Present your annual ticket to the ticket desk person who can assign you a seat and issue a boarding ticket. I really, can't see what the big deal about implementing a system like that would be. They have the machines, it's just a bit of software tweaking. It's no different from airline boarding passes. Also, it's not THAT inconvenient for annual ticket holders as you're only talking about doing this on serious intercity routes i.e. not just "long hop" commuters. All IE intercity stock should have the ability to electronically reserve / assign a seat before long. So, with the exception of the enterprise, there really shouldn't be a big fuss about it on most routes. I mean, many european coach (bus) operators issue seating numbers on intercity coaches !! It's not that big a deal. For people just arriving at a train (without any annual etc tickets) You can : a) Go to ticket desk - purchase ticket.. they'll have a seating map on the screen and just assign you a seat. b) Go to ticket machine - purchase ticket - simplified seating map or "automatic assignment" of seat. You get a card with a seat number on it. That's how it's done on many european routes. It's really quite easy and user friendly. The technology's there! You might as well use it. 40-50% of seats would be a good start though. I can see it being more popular than they thought, people are well used to booking flights online thesedays. Last edited by MrX : 14-11-2006 at 11:34.