FGW 1st Class - ongoing discussion of the benefits and their apparent reduction

[whole diary]

[TaplowGreen]

Could it be the reduction in capacity is resulting in too much pressure on first class seats at weekends and they're trying to reduce the number of weekend first people by upping the price a little?

If this is the reason then it is a sound one - more than once travelling back from Plymouth on a Sunday I have seen people with flexible first class tickets, or on trains where reservation cards have not been put out, been unable to use 1st class accommodation because it is full with those who have paid £20 from (for example) Plymouth to use Weekend First...........and some travelling on staff passes of course! 

[Timmer]

From September I notice the weekend first rate increases to £25 from Devon to Paddington.

Where did you find out about this Henry?

[Timmer]

I wonder if they're introducing another zone, or just upping the all-four zone rate?

If the latter, it makes London/Taunton £25 too, which is a tad steep.

For a short time there was a £25 zone when the then FGW^▸ (First Great Western) started charging different rates. I guess that this fifth zone will be re-introduced.

There was talk about improving the complementaries offered at weekends to match what was offered during the week but this seems to have gone quiet.

[Henry]

 I was able to extract this information from a usually reliable source at one of the stations I
 regularly use.
 
 At no time did I contravene the Geneva Convention to obtain this information .!!!!!

[plymothian]

It's in the latest Retail Circular; along with the Ride Cornwall fare increase (£13).

[bobm]

Is there an increase in the price of other rovers - eg Freedom of the South West - does anyone know?

[LiskeardRich]

Ride Cornwall needed an increase. Its been £10 for as long as I remember, and since January is cheaper than many off peak day returns in Cornwall.
Penzance, St Erth, Hayle, Camborne, Redruth to Liskeard/ Plymouth and intermediates and Looe/Gunnislake
Redruth to Liskeard off peak day return £10.10
Truro to Plymouth off peak day return £10.10

£13 is still excellent value but this is probably for another topic.

[ChrisB]

It's in the latest Retail Circular; along with the Ride Cornwall fare increase (£13).

Extra zone or increases in current zones?