I recently tried to book a ticket online through the Scotrail web site, which apparently lets you book online. I was booking two weeks in advance (ample time normally) for an apex return Aberdeen to Edinburgh. At the moment they are £19. The booking procedure itself is very straightforward, giving you details of outward and inward journey times, you simply choose which times suits you best and the dates, and then it will give you options of whether you want Apex or full fare. I chose the times, gave my credit card details and thought it would just be a case of sitting back and waiting for the tickets to arrive through the post.
Several hours later I receive an email informing me that no apex tickets for those times and dates were available, the fare would therefore be £29 and to simply reply to the email to confirm this. I was sceptical of this so decided to phone the telesales section instead.
I subsequently found out that the fare quoted in the email was not available when travelling on a Friday, being Easter weekend no special fares were available and I would have to pay full fare with no guarantee of a seat, but I could travel any time I wanted to! This of course would be providing I could get a seat that wasn't already taken!
If I had replied to the email I no doubt would have been going round in circles trying to get my ticket booked, and ultimately would have ended up paying full fare anyway. I've since spoken to a work colleague who tried to book an apex as I did and went round the same houses, and it wasn't a bank holiday.
In their favour at least I received an email the same day telling me the fare and times weren't available, but what's the point in having an online booking service that doesn't flag these issues up whilst your booking? If they're trying to offer an alternative to the telesales centre, I ended up having to phone them anyway to get accurate time and fare information.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Booking tickets OnLine is dead easy, as all the Train companies use the same provider (Qjump.co.uk).
It ain't really ScotRails fault if the provider fails to process your request.
The website is at fault though, as they are still displaying last years timetable, and you could end up missing the train altogether, as has happened to some passengers already. The tickets you are sent out are correct, but you might forget and use the timetable that is online (and incorrect!).
MISSBISHI 04.04.2001 15:28
I know you have had a lot of hassle, but what did you expect from a rail company?? That was a good op anyway1
weebagpuss 04.04.2001 15:07
Don't you find that the service between Aberdeen and Edinburgh is lousy? Infrequent, overcrowded trains - why oh why don't they ever seem to have more than three carriages? After coming from the crowded south-east, I expected the trains here to be a bit better - but couldn't believe how much worse they were. From Leuchars we don't even get one train an hour to either Edinburgh or Aberdeen, and when we do get one, there are never any seats. Claire
NH Hotels, the hotel chain leader in Europe, with more than 300 hotels in 20 countries in Europe, Latin America and Africa. Enter into our web site and find the best available tariff at all times
Record Rent a Car is present in the main spanish airports and has a very wide fleet. We offer: exceptional discounts, free additional drivers,
unlimited mileage... subscribe to our Club Record and take advantage of special offers.
Apr 4th, 2001
very helpful by (92%):
helpful by (8%):
