Do you book reserved train seats and then not use them?

Posted by MissingLink101@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 7 comments

Currently sat on a train carriage with about 30 reserved seats but only 6 people actually here. Do these seats belong to people who missed the train, are they in a different carriage closer to the gate or so people just book reserved tickets on the chance they might use them/the train?

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7 Comments

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BowiesFixedPupil@reddit

I don't sit in the seat that gets reserved, I sit where I like instead. The trains I get stick all the reserved people together like sardines and the other carriages are quiet, so I go sit somewhere quiet. Just my preference.

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Chlorophilia@reddit

I wonder if this could also partially be due to split ticketing, which could result in people being allocated seating that changes during a journey (without them realising), or being allocated seating on parts of a journey they won't even be using.

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missuseme@reddit

Yeah, when I book a return I'm usually given a seat reservation for a specific train but my ticket allows me to take any train, so if I leave earlier or later I don't use the reservation. I don't ask for the reservation or pay extra for it, it's just added to the booking

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DameKumquat@reddit

If you book a flexible ticket it will reserve you a seat on one train, but you don't have to take that train. So especially when I travelled for work I'd use my reservation on the way out, but meetings might take more or less time than predicted so I'd often be on a different train.

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zephyrmox@reddit

Honestly - yes, I do.

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benjymous@reddit

What happens is someone buys an "anytime" ticket, but the system still insists they book a seat. So they pick a seat, then end up catching a later train

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