Dogpoop wrote:
> Trying to do a trip out today.
>
> Kirk Sandall (near Doncaster) to Cleethorpes, arriving at Cleethorpes
> before 9am and leaving at 6pm or after. 2 adults and 2 children. Using
>
http://ojp1.nationalrail.co.uk/en/pj/fa?uniqueId=9135697 (First pick on
> a google search for 'railway timetable'.
> is ВЈ45.30 return.
>
> Didn't think this _too_ bad, but then in red bold letters "Please be
> aware, you may need to buy separate tickets for this journey, as a
> through ticket may not be available. If you don't want to travel via
> this route, click 'Restart journey' at the bottom of the page and try
> again." with no details of where I'd need to change, or indeed if I
> actually need to change trains.
>
> What does that mean?
It's a bit of backside covering by National Rail Enquiries. The Great
Computer will come up with the best way of getting from A to B, but
won't necessarily think much about the cost involved. For example, the
/quickest/ way from Kirk Sandall to Cleethorpes might well involve
travelling into Doncaster first, then coming back out again on an
express. Chances are that you'ld need to buy two tickets (KS to Donny,
Donny to Cleethorpes) for that.
> Is it me? Am I simply being thick? It would seem that to travel on a
> train you need fairly detailed knowledge beforehand.
Yeah, I know, they don't exactly make it easy for the newbies.
> By the way, this is a serious post, we _are_ trying to go to Cleethorpes
> today, but tbh I reckon we'll be better by car. If I were starting the
> journey from home I shudder to think what we'd have to do.
>
> Actually, just found it ... you have to click a box to select a journey
> time, level of service (HA) then another for further details. It seems
> to get from KKS to CLE you need to go via Scunthorpe and the journey
> will take from 8:10 am to 9:58, nearly two hours.
>
> So after all that, the clincher "You can buy this ticket online. The
> list above will take you to an online retailer, where you will be asked
> to re-enter your journey details."
As others have remarked, this is the National Railway System failing to
hold together yet again. But TBH it's irrelevant. Buying a ticket for
travel from Kirk Sandall couldn't be simpler. Wait for train. Get on
train. Buy ticket from the conductor, if and when they can be bothered
to come and see you.
> What a load of tosh. A complete farce of a transport system. Why
> aren't the timetable and booking details integrated? Why does it take
> nearly two hours to travel 40 odd miles?
>
> I'd guess if one used it regularly it'd become easier and more familiar,
> but we don't use rail regularly.
It does get easier the more you use it.... up to a point!
--
Joyce Whitchurch, Stalybridge, UK
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