ibleedblue 0 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Fans warned: Don’t turn up if you haven’t booked a seat by Jonathan Paisley THOUSANDS of Rangers fans with train tickets to Manchester could be turned away at Glasgow Central. Virgin Trains have warned supporters who have bought tickets without seat numbers that there is little chance there will be any room for them on the packed trains. More than 9000 seats have been snapped up for Manchester-bound services on May 13 and 14. The situation affects fans with Open or Saver tickets planning to travel to the Uefa Cup Final. The train company will be operating a queue system at Central Station and fans with seat reservations will get priority boarding. advertisementThe problem for Virgin is they just don't know how many Open and Saver tickets have been bought since they are on sale across the UK Extra standing capacity will then be offered to passengers with advance tickets without allocated seats, with the others at the end of the queue, unlikely to be able to get on the train. Virgin Trains spokesman Allan McLean said: "Our advice to passengers without a reserved seat is to take the ticket back and request a refund. "We have decided to warn fans in advance rather than ruin their day by having them turn up and be disappointed by being unable to travel to the match. "Anybody not holding a seat reservation runs the risk of not being able to travel on their preferred service." Mr McLean added: "We will be doing everything we can on the day to try to accommodate everyone who wants to travel. "We have 3000 seats out of Glasgow on Wednesday and we are running at capacity." First Trans Pennine Express will also be running trains from Glasgow to Manchester. Meanwhile, Rangers fans have booked almost every available hotel room in the north-west of England for next week's final. Travelling supporters have filled an estimated 50,000 beds in Greater Manchester and nearly as many again in Blackpool - the resort that is fast turning into a base camp for the Scottish fans ahead of the clash with Zenit St Petersburg. Tourism officials in Manchester yesterday admitted they were recommending Rangers fans look for accommodation as far away as Leeds. Rangers fans were forced to compete for hotel rooms with mortgage advisers, who are holding a major conference in Manchester next week. Thousands of supporters have chosen to go to Blackpool, which has 2000 hotels and guesthouses with space for 60,000 people. Publication date 09/05/08 http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display...2258933.0.0.php Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wienblue 26 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Simple solution...put on extra trains / carriages. Or is that too difficult ? So, they accept your money but you don't have a seat or standing area. That is corporate fraud ! and they have an obligation to the customer. Suggest those at a governmental level need to get involved in this one - and, petition Virin and the rail regulators. Surely, a for profit organization know's full well that it ain't any normal demand based service and that's why you have some level of market based / strategic plan. Is the Government's (incl - those in the town council at Holyrod) objective not to get more people travelling by rail as opposed to road/air - emissions etc;, but, maybe only when it suits. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine! 15 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 You don't have to go from central direct to manchester, for example you hcould get a train to carlisle and change there, or go from edinburgh Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadablue 0 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 Our train station is going to be mad when you all arrive! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barca-ger 1 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 My open ticket says from glasgow to Manchester, which means we cant travel from Edinburgh doesn't it? As its an open ticket, there will be earlier trains. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
machine! 15 Posted May 9, 2008 Share Posted May 9, 2008 My open ticket says from glasgow to Manchester, which means we cant travel from Edinburgh doesn't it? As its an open ticket, there will be earlier trains. I think so, tho ur best bet wud be to get off at haymarket Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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