Great Western Coffee Shop

The ticket for my journey home today, 1st October 2023, was routed 'via Salisbury'.

There were RRBs operating between Warminster and Salisbury, and also between Salisbury and Gillingham (Dorset).

Having Finn with me means it's a lottery as to whether coach drivers will allow him to travel. RRBs also will not convey bicycles and may refuse prams or pushchairs that aren't foldable.

Previous experience has taught me that I can't guarantee I'll be conveyed with Finn. TOC customer services are usually non-committal, defaulting to 'driver descretion'. I've had instances where rail staff have contacted their control and/or station staff and been told that yes, dogs will be conveyed, only to arrive at the station and have drivers say no.

So I try wherever possible to route around RRBs to stay on trains. Today had an additional challenge. That 'via Salisbury' fare was the only route option - no 'Any Permitted', despite it being possible (and quicker)  for me to go home via Exeter. I tried getting the ticket endorsed at my starting GWR station, but the clerk refused. Telling me the only option was to seek permission of the guard. Said guard wasn't fussed. Neither were barrier staff at both Exeter stations. Only my final SWR train to negotiate.

If necessary, just say that you got refused by bus driver with Finn - and ask them how else you might get home.

In an ideal world, yes, they should.  We have come a very long way in wheelchair access to buses and I think that one is more or less sorted but (practically) if Lisa and I were to turn up with bicycles at Melksham Station for an RRB it would be pretty difficult - buses just aren't as spacious and properly equipped.

Non-folding bikes aren't permitted on RRB.

Exactly - so they're not RRBs but PRRBs (partial rail replacement buses)!

Just to say that if an RRB turns up and doesn't have wheelchair access, a taxi or other accessible transport will be arranged via the Help Point/Bus Co-ordinator/TOC for the customer requiring it, but we weren't talking about that scenario...

I fully understand why JayMac wants to avoid RRBs with Finn for the reasons given. I've witnessed pretty much every possible outcome from outright refusal, OK but not on the seats and even GWR arranging a taxi for the customer with a canine friend.

I've seen coach drivers refuse full sized cycles to assisting the customer slinging it underneath (not impossible).

I've refused full sized cycles on a regular service bus when I was a driver, which was company policy (I'd do it anyway unless it could be secured/strapped).

I've seen RRB drivers be very reluctant to carry even folding bikes. (Fortunately not the one from Manningtree to Harwich International last Sunday otherwise I'd have been riding to the ferry in the dark!)

As a postscript.

I spent a few hours in Exeter enjoying the nice weather on Sunday. Lovely roast dinner in The Fat Pig.

I took the 1630 from Exeter Central home to Templecombe. I decided to go for a Weekend 1st upgrade. After explaining to the SWR guard why I was travelling off route with the 'via Salisbury' ticket because of my aversion to RRBs (or rather, their aversion to Finn!), he kindly waived the £10 upgrade.