Online Reservation - Sold out tickets

StephenM · 25-04-2007, 22:49

I made a booking earlier this week in 3 batches for 16 people, while doing the final batch of 4 people (6,6,4) there were (from previous seat selection) 3 seats left in the reserved area of the carriage, and instead of allowing to purchase the ticket only, the booking system decided to say that the train was sold out.

I would like to think that if the capacity is reached for the reserved seating area either the Coach "C" is automatically made available for reservations or "Ticket Only" option should be made available, it prevents having to book a ticket on another train and using it to travel on the train of choice but without a reserved seat. (The way I got around it)

Anyone have any logic as to why seat reservation is very limited in this respect?

Mark Gleeson · 25-04-2007, 23:03

The number of reseverable seats is fixed so you can have either 36 or 70/72 depending on the train, if you need to book a group best off getting on the phone and haggling for a group rate

We have spoken at length with the seat res software guys and it appears they have all the code ready but management are unwilling to let it lose. Management seem terrified by what might happen if they start turning people away at 7pm on a Friday by having fully reservable trains. Only coach A and coach C (D on Cork trains) are reservable

I've travelled on a so called fully reserved sold out train only to find about 100 empty seats

StephenM · 25-04-2007, 23:10

I rang Iarnród Éireann looking for a group booking but they fobed me off with "Travel Saver" route and to get the tickets on the day or in advance from the booking office, not exactly what I wanted so I decided to see how well their online system worked with a group booking. Needless to say it didn't work for part of the trip.

It was the Galway train with the 2 & 4 seating configuration, its as good as First Class but only cheaper, which is pretty nice.

Colm Moore · 25-04-2007, 23:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

Management seem terrified by what might happen if they start turning people away at 7pm on a Friday by having fully reservable trains.

What an economic catastrophe of having full trains!

Oisin88 · 30-04-2007, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Gleeson

The number of reseverable seats is fixed so you can have either 36 or 70/72 depending on the train, if you need to book a group best off getting on the phone and haggling for a group rate

I was told by the nice people at Heuston station that you can't get a group rate any more.

StephenM · 30-04-2007, 20:54

Is there anyway of relaying positive feedback on staff? I was impressed by the Ticket Checker on the way back to Dublin.

CSL · 01-05-2007, 07:24

what train , date, time, route

StephenM · 01-05-2007, 16:23

28th April 2007, 10:50 Galway - Heuston, the ticket checker was very helpful and friendly. Something more so than the staff I've met before.

Colm Moore · 14-05-2007, 01:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oisin88

I was told by the nice people at Heuston station that you can't get a group rate any more.

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/your_ti...oup_travel.asp "Discounts for Small or Large Groups (minimum 10 persons)"

StephenM · 14-05-2007, 07:55

Quote:

http://www.iarnrodeireann.ie/your_ti...oup_travel.asp "Discounts for Small or Large Groups (minimum 10 persons)"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oisin88

I was told by the nice people at Heuston station that you can't get a group rate any more.

I rang up and asked for Group Bookings, was told the same.

25-04-2007, 22:49	#1
StephenM Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Back using the car due poor service Posts: 135	Online Reservation - Sold out tickets I made a booking earlier this week in 3 batches for 16 people, while doing the final batch of 4 people (6,6,4) there were (from previous seat selection) 3 seats left in the reserved area of the carriage, and instead of allowing to purchase the ticket only, the booking system decided to say that the train was sold out. I would like to think that if the capacity is reached for the reserved seating area either the Coach "C" is automatically made available for reservations or "Ticket Only" option should be made available, it prevents having to book a ticket on another train and using it to travel on the train of choice but without a reserved seat. (The way I got around it) Anyone have any logic as to why seat reservation is very limited in this respect?

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25-04-2007, 23:03	#2
Mark Gleeson Technical Officer Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Coach C, Seat 33 Posts: 12,669	The number of reseverable seats is fixed so you can have either 36 or 70/72 depending on the train, if you need to book a group best off getting on the phone and haggling for a group rate We have spoken at length with the seat res software guys and it appears they have all the code ready but management are unwilling to let it lose. Management seem terrified by what might happen if they start turning people away at 7pm on a Friday by having fully reservable trains. Only coach A and coach C (D on Cork trains) are reservable I've travelled on a so called fully reserved sold out train only to find about 100 empty seats

25-04-2007, 23:10	#3
StephenM Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Back using the car due poor service Posts: 135	I rang Iarnród Éireann looking for a group booking but they fobed me off with "Travel Saver" route and to get the tickets on the day or in advance from the booking office, not exactly what I wanted so I decided to see how well their online system worked with a group booking. Needless to say it didn't work for part of the trip. It was the Galway train with the 2 & 4 seating configuration, its as good as First Class but only cheaper, which is pretty nice.

30-04-2007, 20:54	#6
StephenM Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Back using the car due poor service Posts: 135	Is there anyway of relaying positive feedback on staff? I was impressed by the Ticket Checker on the way back to Dublin.

01-05-2007, 07:24	#7
CSL Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 378	what train , date, time, route

01-05-2007, 16:23	#8
StephenM Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Back using the car due poor service Posts: 135	28th April 2007, 10:50 Galway - Heuston, the ticket checker was very helpful and friendly. Something more so than the staff I've met before.