oh, alright then…

I’m under the impression that both sites are powered by the same base code but with different skins. If it’s TheTrainline using Virgins code or the other way round (more likely) they share quite a few of the same components (train station finder for example).

Not only are both of their sites crap for the intended purpose but neither of their reservation systems for the trains once your tickets are bought are in sync. Double (nay triple) booked seats, reservations that don’t exist, reservations for carriages that have been subsequently removed (no really) or my own personal favourite, no reservation available but once aboard you find nearly half the seats were never reserved (whatever happened to the principal of ‘first up best dressed?).

As you can see, this is a bone of contention for me having had to endure both Virgins and TheTrainlines booking systems and couldn’t possibly recommend either one over the other (however I do use TheTrainline as at least their site is usually working when Virgins site yet again falls over).

In short, they’re both unbelievably crap both with regards functionality and usability. I agree entirely that somebody could step in and clear up, and to be honest I’ve been considering for some months rounding up a bunch of merry men (or women) to tackle this issue. Anyone up for the task?

I have long been in favour of a search option which would allow the user to say, “I don’t care when I travel, so long as it is cheap.” The best answer, however, would be a massive simplification of the overall ticket structure.

National Rail have just altered their online journey planner, and you can now search by ticket - but it’s so confusing, even me with my huge brain couldn’t fathom it out.

A missed opportunity!