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Great Western Coffee Shop > All across the Great Western territory > Fare's Fair > Can you reserve a seat if you have a season ticket?
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Author Topic: Can you reserve a seat if you have a season ticket?  (Read 14251 times)
scoop
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« on: December 13, 2008, 13:43:54 »
Hi guys,

I'm thinking of getting a season ticket from Bristol to London to commute in every day.
I only really want to do this if I can be sure of a seat every day.

Does anyone know if it's possible to reserve a seat in advance if you have a monthly season ticket?

Thanks in advance,

Ian
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super tm
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« Reply #1 on: December 13, 2008, 14:20:26 »
As most of the trains to London start at Bristol you are as good a guaranteed to get a seat.  If you were communting from Swindon then it would be different but Bristol is fine.
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John R
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« Reply #2 on: December 13, 2008, 14:31:34 »
And I believe the answer is no you can't reserve a seat without paying for it. MML» (Midland Main Line. - about) used to allow this, but EMT» (East Midlands Trains - about) discontinued the practice at the start of their franchise.
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simonw
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« Reply #3 on: December 13, 2008, 14:38:09 »
Hi

From Bristol to London you will have no problem getting a seat, 99% of the time, or more. The only exception being on days with major problems.

From London to Bristol, it depends on the train time, and day of the week. Thursdays and Friday evenings are very busy from 16:00-18:00.  But by Reading/Swindon there will be plenty of seats.
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scoop
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« Reply #4 on: December 13, 2008, 15:44:22 »
Thanks for your replies.

I've had some conflicting information from FGW▸ (First Great Western) on this. One person in the call centre said it was no problem - another said you have to pay ^5 for each reservation.

I'm going to ask at the ticket desk.

I'll let you know how I get on.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: December 13, 2008, 19:25:59 »
... and, (cough), slightly belatedly, scoop,: welcome to the Coffee Shop forum!  Grin
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scoop
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« Reply #6 on: December 15, 2008, 06:39:32 »
Quick update for anybody interested - I checked with the staff at Bristol Temple Meads this morning and I was told that season ticket holders can reserve seats for free.
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Mookiemoo
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« Reply #7 on: December 15, 2008, 20:57:15 »
Quote from: scoop on December 15, 2008, 06:39:32
Quick update for anybody interested - I checked with the staff at Bristol Temple Meads this morning and I was told that season ticket holders can reserve seats for free.

Really?  Cos I once asked the same Q at WOS» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) and PAD» (Paddington (London) - next trains) and got told I couldnt

hmph
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« Reply #8 on: December 16, 2008, 21:12:46 »
Quote from: Mookiemoo on December 15, 2008, 20:57:15
Quote from: scoop on December 15, 2008, 06:39:32
Quick update for anybody interested - I checked with the staff at Bristol Temple Meads this morning and I was told that season ticket holders can reserve seats for free.

Really?  Cos I once asked the same Q at WOS» (Worcester Shrub Hill - next trains) and PAD» (Paddington (London) - next trains) and got told I couldnt

hmph

Better go via Bristol from now on Mookie!

PS: Has the new timetable affected you much?
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