150% increase in may

[whole diary]

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

yes thankyou smithy i was refering to the unit to the left in the shed next to the 143

[Btline]

Gets magnifying glass out

I can only see 150/0 in the shed - the 150/1 has a corridor connexion.

[devon_metro]

No, it doesn't....

[smithy]

Gets magnifying glass out

I can only see 150/0 in the shed - the 150/1 has a corridor connexion.

incorrect 150/0 and 150/1 do not have gangways only 150/2 had them.
main difference between 150/0 and 150/1 front ends is stroke 0 had power crew doors like stroke 2 where as stroke 1 had slam doors.

[Btline]

Ah, I got confused - I forgot there were three batches!

Talking of 150s, the prototypes are still going strong; (normally seem better than the others!) I travel on the two from time to time!

[Sleepy]

  I find it quite amazing that they have chosen to push through such a large increase on a ticket which is aimed at impulse purchase when all rail companies are noticing a reduction in leisure trips. Do others in the know have any knowledge of the reasoning behind this ? Perhaps FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are planning to increase the quota of First Advance tickets at weekends ?

[Timmer]

Details from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May:

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3973

[IndustryInsider]

Details from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May:

Not a bad idea to charge based on length of journey I suppose, but it presents the usual inconsistencies that zones always throw up. Oxford to Hanborough (7 miles) will cost a tenner whereas, on the same train, Honeybourne to Hereford (48 miles) would only be a fiver.

[devon_metro]

Plymouth - Taunton for ^5 is a bargain. 82m63c

[Ollie]

Details from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May:

Not a bad idea to charge based on length of journey I suppose, but it presents the usual inconsistencies that zones always throw up. Oxford to Hanborough (7 miles) will cost a tenner whereas, on the same train, Honeybourne to Hereford (48 miles) would only be a fiver.

Yeah but shorter journeys are occasionally cheaper to buy a normal first class ticket anyway.

Such as Oxford - Hanborough FCR (First Off Peak Day Return) is currently -not taking into account tomorrows fare change: ^5.20 compared to ^2.50 for a CDR^▸ (Off Peak Day Return [ticket type] (formerly 'Cheap Day')) (Standard Off Peak Day Return)

[thetrout]

Even some longer distance journey's are cheaper to by a walkup ticket...!

Example - Taunton - Bristol is ^16.50 for an Off Peak Standard Period Return, A First Class Off Peak Period Return will set you back ^28.00

Now assuming you travel XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)), It will cost ^15.00 Each way to upgrade! So purchasing a walkup ticket compared to the weekend first upgrades DOES sometimes make sense

Also breaking the Journey at Plymouth when travelling into Cornwall can make First Class Tickets considerably cheaper!

Another trap I discovered about 4 years ago when travelling to Yatton from Cornwall to watch out for is this one:

Liskeard - Yatton, Will set you back ^156.00 for a First Class Off Peak Return... However, Liskeard - Bristol Temple Meads will set you back ^142.00

For those not familiar with Yatton and Bristol...! They are on the Main Line from Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads... Yatton is 2 stops before Bristol Temple Meads...!

So if you make that Journey, I would recommend buying the Bristol Ticket, Change on the Bristol Temple Meads or Cardiff Central at Taunton, and break the journey at Yatton

*edit* Wording Error

[inspector_blakey]

Dragging this back round to the original topic of the new Weekend First system, the zonal map is now available at

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3973

OK prices for longer journeys have increased, but it still strikes me as pretty good value for money. FGW^▸ (First Great Western) also deserve credit for keeping Weekend First available to Advance ticket holders, which is becoming increasingly unusual amongst the intercity TOCs^▸ (Train Operating Company). As far as I can tell, given that the website now says that the full range of complimentary items is available to WF ticket holders, that means there won't be the previous limit of 3 items per person.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Bristol Evening Post:

MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) condemn rail operators over online fare discounts

MPs have condemned rail operators for making discounted advanced fares easier for internet users to buy than for other passengers.
The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee says it is "unacceptable" that the best deals are most readily available online as it "undermines the whole basis of the railways as a public service available to all".
Rail operators disagreed with the report, saying cheap online fares could also be obtained by phone or at a station.
But the MPs said people who had to travel at short notice were being excluded by the higher prices charged on the day of travel.
Bristol is no exception to the rule that states people who buy train fares on the day of travel or even the day before are effectively penalised by having to pay more.
Passengers who book an off-peak fare from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington a week in advance would pay ^27 for a return.
But if that same ticket was bought for travel on the day or for the next day it would cost nearly ^20 more, at ^45.50.
Shorter journeys don't suffer the same gulf in pricing though.
An off-peak return to Bath, for example, would cost ^5.90 whether it was for travel on the day or two weeks' time.

For the full article, see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/MPs-condemn-rail-operators-online-fare-discounts/article-1006301-detail/article.html

[devon_metro]

I wonder how money would be needed to lower fares. A few mortgages perhaps?

[vacman]

I don't think ^45.00 for an Off-peak return from Bristol to Padd is that unreasonable to be honest?