"Even if you have a reservation, bikes are always carried at the discretion of train staff":
https://tfw.wales/ways-to-travel/cycling/bikes-on-board
Jonathan
"Even if you have a reservation, bikes are always carried at the discretion of train staff":
Sounds awful - terrible - I'd send the train company a mail and ask them to account for themselves.Steve X wrote: ↑7 Aug 2022, 2:18pm We reserved our two bikes, reserved with Transport for Wales, from Llanfairfechan to Chester today, and boarded no problem. As we proceeded towards Chester several Bikes including a couple of folders were refused permission to board, as the train was busy.
When we got off, I asked the conductor what would have happened if there had been any bikes on the train when we boarded, would they have had to get off. He said no, he would not have let us on. The reservation is not a guarantee.
I would suggest that the only way the reservation will guarantee you a space with TfW, is if you get on at the terminal station.
I suspect there are some pretty unhappy cyclists along North Wales coast today.
I did think the booking, gives a false sense of security. Also I am used to using Northern Trains and their carriages seem to be older with a bit more space, so more flexible on fitting extra bikes on.simonhill wrote: ↑7 Aug 2022, 2:37pm Steve, that's terrible. Are there any t&cs when booking to confirm that weird rule/decision.
I had something similar albeit in Spain, with better results. I booked and when train arrived I was directed away from bike to wheelchair area. No problem, bike stowed OK. When guard came I showed him my e- ticket. He then asked for bike ticket. He was obviously unaware I had booked a bike on that train. Really makes you wonder, as in your case, why bother to book.
No, if the guard won't let you on the booked train, your ticket can then be used on the next available one. I believe that's also the case if you have a ticket for a specific train and the bike space isn't bookable, though I haven't had cause to test that. I was once issued with an "Authority to travel any route" letter from the station manager, when a platform alteration wasn't announced in time for me to get my bike up and down two lifts, it meant using trains my cheap ticket hadn't permitted me on, which resulted in getting there an hour earlier.
ah yes, ta, this rings a bell.PH wrote: ↑7 Aug 2022, 4:37pmNo, if the guard won't let you on the booked train, your ticket can then be used on the next available one. I believe that's also the case if you have a ticket for a specific train and the bike space isn't bookable, though I haven't had cause to test that. I was once issued with an "Authority to travel any route" letter from the station manager, when a platform alteration wasn't announced in time for me to get my bike up and down two lifts, it meant using trains my cheap ticket hadn't permitted me on, which resulted in getting there an hour earlier.
not sure i understand
it's happened to me three times in 25 years, one last Easter:
Well summarised, and spot-on!Have looked at some of the rail websites and the rules seem well hidden and differ from provider to provider.