I want to take my bicycle on the train to Somerset and I know it’s not very straightforward so I check on the Arriva Trains Wales website and the Great Western Trains website. Arriva trains tell me that I only have to mention it when I buy the ticket so that’s easy.
I download the Great Western Trains cycle policy and learn that I have to book a place for my bicycle. So I pick up my mobile and ring customer services. A couple of minutes later someone answers the phone and I spend a few more minutes listening to him checking on his system whether there are places available on the two Great Western Trains trains I need to take. Eventually he tells me that there is indeed one space available on each of the the trains. Hooray.
Now he tells me that I have to go to another department to actually book it and get a booking reference number. So I hold the line and I hold and I hold and eventually I get a man from India who checks exactly which trains I need the space one and he is heard tap tap tapping away.
After struggling to understand and spell my (very easy) surname he confirms that there is space for my bike and gives me a reference number for each of the two journeys. At last, I can relax, my bike is booked on the trains.
But oh no, just as I was about to thank him and hang up….
“This booking reference does not guarantee you a space for your bike on these trains” he said in a matter of fact way.
“What do you mean?” I asked with a creeping feeling I was going to get angry
“I cannot guarantee you a place on either of these trains”
“But you’ve just given me a booking reference number!” I am starting to get angry – I can feel it.
“Yes, but it doesn’t guarantee you a place”
“What’s the point of making me phone up, getting passed from one dept to another, entering all my travel details and giving me a booking reference if it doesn’t mean I get a bicycle space”
“I’m sorry but I cannot guarantee you a place. You will have to organise it when you arrive at the station” he repeated.
So here’s hoping that I am the only person with a bicycle on the 14:44 from Newport on Thursday.
And were you?
You can't leave us all hanging like that.
Hope all is well with you.
Regards
Roger
Hey Rog – good to hear from you.
There was another woman who seemed to be a regular bike and train person who assured me I would be fine.