When I returned
to the train at Betws to continue the journey to Blaenau, I was
advised in a very loud and demeaning voice that my ticket only
allowed me to break my journey on the return run and not on the
outward run. I enquired when this had come into effect and was
told "since 1976 when I joined the railway"!
I have travelled the
Crewe-Holyhead-Llandudno-Manchester routes more times than I
can remember and broken my journeys an equal number of times
without problem. I have enquired with both ticket office staff
and train staff and the answer was always the same "no problem"
Now I know that the Blaenau branch is a different line but it
is operated by the same company so I am confused. That confusion
was compounded when I asked at the Llandudno Junction ticket
office as to whether I could break the journey on the branch
and the answer was "Yes, as many times as you like. A letter
is even now winging its way to First North Western for clarification.
Travelling on the North
Wales Coast with First North Western has always been pleasurable
where the staff are concerned, indeed I can't remember anything
but friendly chats but at Llandudno Junction and on the Blaenau
train, well, what a miserable, bad tempered bunch! Their attitude
certainly acts as a reminder to re-tax the car. |