Unannounced change from train to bustitution

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Afternoon all

I purchased an Advance 1st class ticket from Plymouth to Reading a few weeks ago for the 1510 on Sunday 27th April - having checked this morning I note that this train is no longer running and is replaced by a bus from Plymouth to Tiverton and then a train onwards.

My question is, and I'm hoping someone in the know can help, on which train from Tiverton would my ticket be valid, and would I still have my reservation?

I'm pretty cheesed off to be honest, even though I bought the ticket weeks ago it was still pretty pricey, and had I not checked this morning I would be none the wiser.....am I entitled to any compo? 

[Southern Stag]

The closure is in the Dawlish area and was only announced recently. It will allow Network Rail to restore the normal signalling along the section between Dawlish Warren and Teignmouth. Currently a temporary, reduced, form of signalling is being used which can lead to delays. Unfortunately the train you were originally due to take is now starting at Weston-super-Mare so you won't have any reservation. As for which train you can take, I'd say you won't have any problems taking any train around the time you were originally due to leave, but I don't know what FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s official position is. One option would be to take the 1446 bus from Plymouth to Tiverton Parkway to connect with the 1616 train to Reading. As that service is fast between Taunton and Reading instead of running via Bristol you'd arrive at Reading much earlier at 1748. I can't imagine getting a seat in First Class will be too problematic.

[TaplowGreen]

Thanks Stag - I've just called FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and they have given me the same advice re: the 1446 bus/1616 train, and having given them my reservation details they have confirmed that it will be valid on the 1616............we'll see!!!

[Southern Stag]

Hmm, I expect they meant that your Advance Ticket reservation will be valid for travel on the 1616 train from Tiverton Parkway and not that your seat reservation will actually be placed on the 1616.

[TaplowGreen]

Hmm, I expect they meant that your Advance Ticket reservation will be valid for travel on the 1616 train from Tiverton Parkway and not that your seat reservation will actually be placed on the 1616.

Yeah that's what I thought too, but he took the reservation coupon no tapped away on his computer and read back the seat number to me so we'll see!

[TaplowGreen]

Hmm, I expect they meant that your Advance Ticket reservation will be valid for travel on the 1616 train from Tiverton Parkway and not that your seat reservation will actually be placed on the 1616.

Yeah that's what I thought too, but he took the reservation coupon no tapped away on his computer and read back the seat number to me so we'll see!

Well I'm pleased to report that it all went smoothly-my first major experience of "long haul" bustitution, coach (a bit tatty to be honest but at least the driver turned off the Judy Garland greatest hits CD^▸ (Capital Delivery) when asked!) left Plymouth on time and reached Tiverton in just over an hour, train (1616) was on time and I was pleasantly surprised to see that my seat reservation had been placed as promised.....got back to Reading an hour earlier than the 1510 train would have got me there - I can see why a lot of people drive from Plymouth and pick up the train from Tiverton Parkway - can save you a lot of time!

[Southern Stag]

I'm glad it all went well. The coach from Plymouth to Tiverton is a bit of an oddity as provided the traffic is OK it is often quicker than the train.

[TaplowGreen]

I'm glad it all went well. The coach from Plymouth to Tiverton is a bit of an oddity as provided the traffic is OK it is often quicker than the train.

Yes you can save yourself 20-30 mins by driving to Tiverton rather than getting the train from Plymouth, quite a few people do it & leave the car at the station.

My one criticism yesterday was the lack of publicity of the bustitution - as I mentioned earlier in this thread I only found out by chance and there were a lot of people turning up at Plymouth station who clearly were unaware that buses were replacing trains - I saw a couple of people with bikes who weren't happy....all there was at Plymouth was a rather grotty dry wipe board on which was scrawled "buses replacing trains" - I think that as this engineering work was scheduled (relatively speaking) at short notice, more effort could have been made to publicise it?

[phile]

That is what happens when TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) expect everybody to download all the information from the Internet.

[TaplowGreen]

That is what happens when TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company) expect everybody to download all the information from the Internet.

Indeed - not really acceptable, especially as those most likely to be affected are likely to be the most vulnerable (elderly etc)