Testing GWR cycling reservation system

[whole diary]

[CyclingSid]

Just in case it hasn't been noted elsewhere, this was on the Reading Cyclin g Campaign web site:

"From Cycling UK^▸ (United Kingdom): "GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) (Great Western Railway) is looking for cyclists to test out their cycle reservation system in August and early September. If you'd like to help, please get in touch with Mark Youngman at GWR: mark.youngman@GWR.com" Peter (WoBC rep for RCC)"

https://www.facebook.com/ReadingCycleCampaign/posts/10155102369398773

[John R]

A related question if I may.  If I book an advanced ticket from Nailsea to Durham and cycle space from Bristol to Durham, what would happen if I am refused boarding on the local service into Bristol because there are already too many bikes?  Firstly, I then have missed the advance ticket reservation, but more importantly, what happens if every other XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service that day has all the cycle spaces fully reserved (as may be the case as it will be when universities are returning).

 

[Bmblbzzz]

Testing it? Surely it's been up and running for about a year?

[stuving]

Testing it? Surely it's been up and running for about a year?

Maybe they have been working on a new system designed to suit their new trains, and want to test that?

[Bmblbzzz]

A related question if I may.  If I book an advanced ticket from Nailsea to Durham and cycle space from Bristol to Durham, what would happen if I am refused boarding on the local service into Bristol because there are already too many bikes?  Firstly, I then have missed the advance ticket reservation, but more importantly, what happens if every other XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service that day has all the cycle spaces fully reserved (as may be the case as it will be when universities are returning).

 

Purely from personal experience, I've come back from BHM with a booked bike and found all cycle spaces occupied. I put my bike in the long luggage space (XC Voyager) on TM^‡(resolve)'s advice – alongside another bike (don't know if booked or not) which was already there. And similar on other occasions. In practice, no one seems to check bookings on XC. Not done this all the way to Durham though...

[Bmblbzzz]

Testing it? Surely it's been up and running for about a year?

Maybe they have been working on a new system designed to suit their new trains, and want to test that?

I thought that's what was introduced a while ago, when the new rules came in, in preparation for the new trains.

[Richard Fairhurst]

About a year ago, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) were talking about introducing an app-based bike booking system so that you could easily reserve a space on the day even when there was no ticket office nearby. I presume this is it?

[stuving]

Testing it? Surely it's been up and running for about a year?

Maybe they have been working on a new system designed to suit their new trains, and want to test that?

I thought that's what was introduced a while ago, when the new rules came in, in preparation for the new trains.

When I wrote "new system" I was thinking of the IT and back-room stuff, not just new rules, so maybe:

About a year ago, GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) were talking about introducing an app-based bike booking system so that you could easily reserve a space on the day even when there was no ticket office nearby. I presume this is it?