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On 5th March, EMR announced that they would be removing seat reservations from 1st April 2026. This is a temporary measure while the train fleet transitions from the diesel Class 222 Meridian units to the new bi-mode Class 810 Auroras. These have different seating configurations, but they can also be swapped for one another in service at short notice. Advice from EMR states: “Operating two fleets makes it technically and operationally difficult to provide seat reservations as the seating layouts are different and the technology on the Class 222 is old and inflexible. While we know our customers value seat reservations, we also know that failing to honour a booked reservation is one of the biggest causes of dissatisfaction. We have therefore taken the decision to remove seat reservations on all Intercity services from 1 April 2026 while we transition to our new Aurora fleet. We recognise that inconsistent reservations have created challenges and frustration for customers and colleagues. This temporary measure will allow us to provide greater certainty during the fleet transition. From 1 April 2026:
We are working closely with our IT team to ensure clear information for passengers is displayed on the reservation screens on the trains and for the management of passenger assistance and bicycle reservations. We are contacting customers with reservations who are travelling from 1 April and providing them with simple information about what this means for their journey. Clear messaging will be provided through booking channels, stations and on-train announcements. We will keep you informed as the fleet transition progresses and as we are able to reintroduce a consistent reservation system for our customers.” We in Harborough Rail Users have discussed this with EMR and are satisfied that it is a reasonable temporary measure during the fleet changeover. We have also been assured that it will not result in any reduction in the numbers of discounted Advance tickets available at each fare tier. Not quite the same. The seating layout on Class 222 Meridians (left) and Class 810 Auroras (right) is not the same. As the fleet replacement progresses, reliably honouring seat reservations is not possible, so the decision has been taken to withdraw the facility temporarily from 1st April 2026. Photos: Steve Jones Ticket refunds
The arrangements for refunds on tickets not used are also changing from 1st April. This is a change in the National Rail Conditions of Travel. Further details can be found here: https://www.nationalrail.co.uk/help-and-assistance/compensation-and-refunds/refunds-change/ In essence, the previous allowance of up to 28 days after date of travel has been removed, such that refunds can only be requested up until 23:59 on the day before the ticket becomes valid, unless your train is delayed or cancelled. The reason is to prevent fraudulent misuse of the system. Harborough Rail Users welcomed the announcement on 24th November 2025 that regulated rail fares, which usually rise by RPI + 1% each January, were to be frozen in 2026. The Government is under great pressure over the cost of living and presented the fares freeze as a contribution toward easing the burden. We in HRU have long complained of the fares from Market Harborough being disproportionately high compared with some other lines and stations such as Northampton. Though the fares freeze does not change that, it does help make rail travel more affordable.
 Back in July, we reported that Transport for London (TfL) had given notice of their intention to pull out of the Travelcard agreement with train operators for Day Travelcards. The background was a financial shortfall at TfL, who felt they received an inadequate share of the ticket revenue. This meant the Day Travelcard – though not the season ticket versions – was to be withdrawn from 21st January 2024. Along with many others, including rail user groups and local authorities, we in Harborough Rail Users considered this a seriously retrograde step. We made representations both to TfL and to our MP, Neil O’Brien, urging a reversal of the decision. The Travelcard is one of the best examples of integrated transport this country has; one simple ticket giving return rail travel to London and unlimited local rail, tube, tram and bus travel throughout the relevant fare zones plus discounts on the Thames Clipper river buses. We were therefore delighted to hear on 25th October that TfL and the Rail Delivery Group had come to an agreement such that the Day Travelcard would continue to be available. According to Rail Minister Huw Merriman, the deal came after ‘government intervention’. However, from 24th March 2024 there will be 3% one-off increase on the price of a Travelcard on top of the annual fare increase. Earlier this year, the Mayor of London announced a proposal to withdraw from the Day Travelcard arrangement with train operators, including EMR. Harborough Rail Users submitted a response to the public ‘engagement’ on this, identifying that the Day Travelcard is a popular and useful ticket, both for day-trippers and for part-time commuters. We urged retention of the Day Travelcard, especially given that the whole question was in the context of the Government’s funding settlement for Transport for London (TfL).
On 21st July 2023, however, TfL announced that the Mayor had “…reluctantly instructed us to give the required minimum six months’ notice to withdraw from the relevant provisions of the Travelcard agreement”. TfL’s statement goes on to say: “While this six-month process is now underway, it is important that we are clear this remains reversible and does not therefore mean that Day Travelcards will be withdrawn. We and the Mayor remain open to discussing all options with both the Department for Transport, the Rail Delivery Group and the train operating companies, but in a way which would allow us to continue to meet the requirements of the government funding agreement. The existing daily pay as you go caps on contactless or Oyster, which are used by the overwhelming majority of those travelling, will not be affected by this. We would like to reassure you that while these discussions take place Day Travelcards will remain available.” Harborough Rail Users see this as very bad news. We hope the decision will be reversed. If the Day Travelcard actually is withdrawn, we will press for an equivalent day return ticket to London. We would want to ensure that the many people who use Day Travelcards can continue to enjoy a day in London, using Oyster or Contactless payment, at an equivalent cost and level of flexibility as they can now. The train operating companies, both individually such as EMR, and collectively through the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), launched a consultation on a proposal to close most station ticket offices throughout the country. They state that only 12% of ticket sales are now made at ticket offices; EMR say that only 5% of their tickets are sold this way. The majority of tickets are now sold online or via mobile phone apps, or at self-service ticket machines. The instigator of this proposal is the Government, which wants to reduce costs and ‘modernise customer service’. The stated aim is not to de-staff the stations; rather, it is to bring ticket office staff out from behind the glass and into more wide-ranging ‘customer help’ roles around the station. There is a parallel here with the changes recently seen in the banks and supermarkets. More on the RDG’s position can be found here: https://media.raildeliverygroup.com/news/proposals-to-update-the-railway-for-how-passengers-use-it-today However, the proposals are proving controversial. We in Harborough Rail Users accept modernisation on the railways just as much as anywhere else. For Market Harborough, the proposal is to close the ticket office and to reduce staffing hours at the beginning and end of the operating day. Staff will still be available to assist passengers, but we also wonder about the implications for them if the ticket office is closed. Will they be expected to be on their feet all day in the booking hall as well as their duties on the platforms? In any case, our station team are already multi-skilled, undertaking various customer-facing duties around the station. We therefore have serious concerns about the implications of what is proposed, both for station users and the staff. Among these are:
 Window of opportunity: the ticket office staff provides much advice and assistance to passengers as well as simple selling tickets, plus other services such as longer-term season tickets and the accompanying photocards; refunds, and cycle-hub fob keys; none of which are available through the ticket machines. Will the full range of services still be available at the station if the ticket office closes? Photo: Steve Jones Have your say. Please respond to the consultation, DEADLINE EXTENDED TO FRIDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER:
You can also write to your MP. Contact email addresses for our local MPs are:
 The two self-service ticket machines in the booking hall at Market Harborough. These are quite versatile, selling a wide range of tickets. The one on the right accepts cash as well as card payments. There are two more, card-only, machines in the car park kiosk. They all sell most tickets, but not everything that is available through the ticket office. They can also be temperamental; for example, they have been known not to accept railcards, or issue pre-purchased tickets. Photo: Steve Jones We are not opposed to modernisation, but it must be done in a way that does not disadvantage anyone. The railway is a public service that must be accessible and available to all.
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