To think virgin trains are cunts

[Fairyloo]

Hi,

On way back from London tonight picked up prebooked ticket from machine booked through virgin app.

Went to get on my train, conducter said you are missing actual ticket, I said oh just got now from machine have email here giving details. You need actual ticket.

Ok fair enough went to virgin booth, kinda blaming me for loosing ticket, I genuinally didn't. You will have to buy new ticket even though again email and app clear I had booked and paid for ticket.

If you want to get home you will have to buy ticket, ok then what choice did I have. £70 on top of £35 I had bloody paid. I had my seat reservation everything.

Going to write to virgin tomorrow but probably won't get anywhere so irritated!!'

This happened to my DP about a year ago too actually. Virgin again. He booked his ticket through work, took the confirmation, put in the code, collected all the ticket parts and got on the train. He uses the train every day and uses this pre-booking system at least once a month so he knew he hadn't done anything wrong. Virgin told him his ticket wasn't valid but kept changing their mind as to whether he had lost a bit (he hadn't and was able to prove that) and whether his ticket wasn't valid for that train (ticket specified that train though). In the end he had to pay again out of his own pocket or face being kicked off the train. He complained but never got an apology or refund. He won't travel with Virgin anymore if he can.

So why did he say you can't get on the train?

What reason did they give you for buying a new ticket?

Had all parts of ticket?
Got on right train?
On time for train?

It's not fun making people pissed off they can't get on a train. They don't do it for sport. If you had a valid ticket why did you have to buy a new one?

But it says on the receipt how any bits are printed.... You need a ticket and a reservation for an advance.... If you can show you had all the bits, then you are in the right.

I don't work for Virgin BTW.

Five bits all seem to be seat reservation no actual ticket was given

Receipt says 5 parts but the machine hasn't given me ticket part?

Totally their fault

copy it, and send original to them. Is receipt says 5 bits then I am super confused if you have them all.

I haven't got an answer OP, sorry.

Do you think the machine can make a mistake though surely it shouldn't??

My favourite mind boggling Virgin trains complaint is:

Buying a Virgin Trains only ticket for £11.00
Get on a Virgin train going to my destination, only to be told they don't accept Virgin only tickets, and to get off
Get on different Virgin train going to my destination, told again to get off as they too don't accept Virgin only tickets.
On the way back at the station, check the board. 4 Virgin trains in the next hour going to my destiation. 3 of which don't accept Virgin only tickets.

This was on a Thursday. Not peak time. I was going 3 stops. Not Edinburgh to London.

What in the actual fuck?

Actually what does happen if you buy a pre-booked ticket and your train is cancelled? Would you get a fine going on a different train?

Yay! A slag off Virgin thread!

A few weeks ago, me and the DCs were travelling back from Cornwall.

Train was packed. Fine, although there were only 4 coaches . So me and the DCs stood for most of the journey. Again, fine, irritating, but fine.

But did the guard really have to hassle me about moving buggy? One of the passengers asked, 'where is she supposed to put it? The luggage racks are full!'

In Coach D apparently?

So, nice stranger went to see if there was room in Coach D for buggy.

There was not.

Oh, and the electrical cabinet was left open, which apparently was posted on Facebook. It wasn't me, btw, but a gang of teenage boys who kept daring each other to hit various switches....

chuff You should be fine to catch a different train with the same operator or in special circumstances, e.g. snow/bad weather where very few trains are running or an operator TransPennineExpress has cancelled all services in an area north of York... that's pretty huge, what a ridiculous company! then your ticket automatically becomes valid on any service by another operator (although check with platform staff). All TOCs (Train Operating Companies) have mutually beneficial agreements to help each other out and minimise disruption in extreme circumstances.

Also, I think if your train is cancelled you have the right not to travel & obtain a full refund. If you choose to travel and are still delayed you can also claim for the delay.

thank god i don't live in england. this all seems like such a faff to get on a train. NI trains as shit as they are, go to station get on train, buy ticket from conductor, enjoy journey. no apps or ticket machines required. i always wondered why english people put up with their train service. it seems to be hideously expensive, far more complicated than needs be and full of problems.

Yes Virgin Trains are cunts! Their staff are rude and obnoxious - you can forget about replies to your complaints, they have no interest in addressing your concerns whatsoever.

The West Coast Mainline is a disgrace! The trains are late and filthy! To boost their punctuality, they announce arrival to stations when in fact the train is miles away!

The food and tickets are overpriced while the level of service is sadly lacking. And now, when the late running train pulls in London Euston, and you want to walk through first class in order to exit nearest the barriers, Virgin are posting onboard crew as psuedo-security guards to bar your entrance into Standard - Jesus!, how fucking juvenile!

Virgin Train crew! - you need to get a fucking life!

Two more stories to share with you - both happened a couple of years ago.

Firstly, getting on a Virgin train at London Euston and going to the West Midlands (although the train's final destination was much further North). I was walking down the platform and was stopped by an elderly blind gentleman who asked me to check that he was on the correct platform and this was the correct train. Subsequently found out he was early, and that he was booked on the next train. The train manager refused to allow him on the train because he had the wrong ticket, and refused to help him off the platform - EVEN THOUGH THE MAN WAS BLIND! When I complained about his attitude he threatened to throw me off the train. Once the train left the station and he began checking tickets we exchanged words again and at Milton Keynes he called the police. They were really sympathetic and put me on the next train and checked with Euston to ensure the blind gentleman was alright.

Secondly, I was again boarding a train from Euston to the West Midlands one Saturday morning and walked to the onboard shop which is located in coach C. It wasnt open but there was a Virgin member of staff wearing one of their naff looking red coats and I asked him if I could take 3 bottles of wine and leave the money behind the counter. He said it would be fine, and so I did.
Some time later the shop assistant turned up, saw me drinking the wine and called the manager and the police. The money had gone missing and these cretins had accused me of stealing the wine! However the member of staff who I spoke to earlier was located and although he initially denied it, was forced to admit that he told me I could take the wine and leave the money - however he then claimed not to have personally seen me do either! Once again I had to get off the train, although I was allowed on the next one and no charges were laid. In fact one of the officers said to me that they believed me totally and thought one of the Virgin staff members had more than likely taken the money!

These two incidents just go to show the type of people Richard Branson has working for him. I doubt they could spell the words Customer Service let aloone tell you what it meant! If it wasnt for the fact that their trains get me into London quicker and thus reduce the duration of my daily commute I wouldnt go near their pendalino's. Have you ever walked past the toliets? The stench leaves you gagging! The air conditioning in summer is totally ineffective, yet it turned up full blast in the winter! I've written to Richard Branson via LinkedIn, but I'm still awaiting a response - I wont hold my breath . . . unless of course I happen to be walking past one of those toilets!

God I pray they lose that franchise when it comes up for renewal again in 2017 - let someone e;se who actually gives a toss for their customers run the service for a change!

Well at least we no longer have Virgin Trains as Branson’s (and Stagecoach) pension provisions for staff were not good enough and neglected workers rights, so his corrupt business was thrown out. Shows he can only line his pockets through betrayal of others.
All his businesses should be thrown out as they aren’t ethically proper with him carpetbagging what he can off the British taxpayer while paying no tax. Talk of spongers on benefits - this is what he is on upper class benefits taking what he can in billions instead of pounds.
Avanti West Coast is much better.

You resurrected a zombie thread for this rant?