MP calls for cut in first class

[whole diary]

[grahame]

Bristol MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) Kerry McCarthy: ^Cut first class to make space on trains^

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Bristol-MP-Kerry-McCarthy-8220-Cut-class-make/story-18324602-detail/story.html#axzz2MfgKwk5s

Ms McCarthy said Bristol rail passengers had to put up with overcrowded trains on a daily basis while first class coaches were often empty.
^I regularly see passengers who have paid for a seat are being forced to stand or sit on the floor by the toilets, while first class carriages remain empty,^ she said.

[JayMac]

Less 1st Class accommodation could possibly mean less revenue from 1st Class fares. Ms McCarthy should take a look at 1st Class off Paddington in the evening weekday peak - very often at or near capacity. If there's less 1st Class revenue then the shortfall may need to be picked up elsewhere.

Also, whilst it may be a little further to walk she should take a look in coaches A and B. There may be the appearance of overcrowding in the middle of the train, but the reality is often that there are dozens of empty seats in A and B.

[readytostart]

Well let's just remember that those passengers have not paid 'for a seat' and are not 'being forced' to stand or sit by the toilet, in fact the only type of ticket that dictated that they had to travel on that train would be an advance which would come with a seat reservation.

I often find, even on a four car Voyager that people are simply unwilling to walk through the coaches and look for an available seat. The trouble is, at the next station people will see passengers standing in the vestibules, and assume there are no seats left and join the encampment, causing further delays at the next station as those who did have seats struggle to get past the mob and off the train. You are also almost guaranteed to see Mr Jones' jacket and Miss Smith's handbag having a perfectly comfortable ride on the seat next to them as they are too ignorant to move them no matter how crowded the train is and other passengers are too timid to ask them. The glares I get when asking people to move belongings to the appropriate areas is more like what you'd expect if I'd asked them to flush them down the loo.

[grahame]

Kerry McCarthy (Bristol East) (Lab): Passengers in the Bristol area are desperate to see an improvement to services on the Great Western line, particularly with regard to the issue of overcrowding. If people have paid for a seat, they should not expect to have to stand on an almost daily basis. Can the Minister assure me that the issue of capacity will be addressed in the franchise negotiations, and that there will be extra rolling stock on the line?

Mr Burns: Yes, I would like to give some assurance to the hon. Lady. When franchises come up for the next stage of the process, we want to ensure that all passenger requirements, as well as the ability of companies to provide a first-class service to passengers, are considered fully.

From Hansard via ChrisB's post of a few minutes ago.  My highlighting ... well - those are the words they said!

[Electric train]

He's only miffed cause he cannot claim First Class on expenses 

[John R]

During the course of the franchise many HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) have already had their first class seating cut by around 20%, with said units now running with the best part of an additional standard carriage.

[Southern Stag]

Whenever I see an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) with a missing FC^‡(resolve) carriage the remaining FC accommodation always looks pretty cosy.

[thetrout]

I can see both sides of the argument.

But I will agree that some First Class Fares are unrealistically priced. For example a day return:

First Off Peak Return - Bath Spa - Bristol Temple Meads: ^15.75* (Approx - 13 Minutes - Approx 12 Miles)
First Off Peak Return - Penzance - Plymouth: ^34.00* (Approx - 2 Hours - Approx 80 Miles)

*No FCR between Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads. FCR Between Plymouth and Penzance is ^24.50

Perhaps a small reduction in some First Class fares might convince some Standard Class Passengers to upgrade to First Class thus freeing up some of these 'empty' carriages. But I agree with the other comments on First Class in the Peaks from and into Paddington. Can often be more than a bit cosy...!