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

[whole diary]

[Richard Fairhurst]

Are 1st class coaches being re-designated as "L for Lounge"

ITYF it's "L for leather".

*gets coat*

[broadgage]

I thought that it was L for "limited space"

[Phil]

Are 1st class coaches being re-designated as "L for Lounge"

ITYF it's "L for leather".

*gets coat*

I like it. Still only too glad to hand you your flippin' coat though!

[Btline]

As expected, taking a machete to the 1st class provision has proven to be a disaster. Furious passengers will be downgrading or getting into the car.

Having fewer 1st advances / weekend first may put casual travellers off rail, and commuters will not want to shell out for cramped conditions.

An easy stop gap solution would be to remove 1st class fares from Slough and Maidenhead. The HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) shouldn't be stopping there in the first place (and the Thames Turbos/ all commuter stock should be 2nd class only). Also perhaps remove it from Reading.

First class is a product for InterCity commuters and businessmen / leisure travellers making a long journey (<1 hr). Not for people going for 25 minutes into work.

[John R]

As expected, taking a machete to the 1st class provision has proven to be a disaster. Furious passengers will be downgrading or getting into the car.

I don't think you can say "has proven to be" when it hasn't even happened yet. Yes, as a first class passenger I'm concerned, but we all have to wait and see what actually happens.

[Umberleigh]

As expected, taking a machete to the 1st class provision has proven to be a disaster. Furious passengers will be downgrading or getting into the car.

Having fewer 1st advances / weekend first may put casual travellers off rail, and commuters will not want to shell out for cramped conditions.

An easy stop gap solution would be to remove 1st class fares from Slough and Maidenhead. The HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) shouldn't be stopping there in the first place (and the Thames Turbos/ all commuter stock should be 2nd class only). Also perhaps remove it from Reading.

First class is a product for InterCity commuters and businessmen / leisure travellers making a long journey (<1 hr). Not for people going for 25 minutes into work.

My sentiments exactly. Long distance 1st class travel has been hijacked by London commuters. Although this is hardly surprising, as ANY discussion about rail travel in Britain invariably centres around London commuters

[JayMac]

As expected, taking a machete to the 1st class provision has proven to be a disaster. Furious passengers will be downgrading or getting into the car.

Recent visit from the hyperbole fairy, Btline? 

[Super Guard]

There's a clear and unambigious solution to this - Privilege pass holders sit in Standard class only and book ahead in the same way as those on Advance tickets for a particular train, those trains that are highlighted as "busy" are excluded........that levels the playing field to some extent with paying customers whilst allowing those concerned to retain their benefits.

I think the vast majority of pass holders are standard class only.  There are very few FGW^▸ (First Great Western) active 1st class passes now.

As expected, taking a machete to the 1st class provision has proven to be a disaster. Furious passengers will be downgrading or getting into the car.

Recent visit from the hyperbole fairy, Btline? 

I thought it was the hyperbole troll? 

[IndustryInsider]

Recent visit from the hyperbole fairy, Btline? 

I don't bother responding to him anymore.

[tom m]

I think the vast majority of pass holders are standard class only.  There are very few FGW^▸ (First Great Western) active 1st class passes now.

I would agree, I think only very senior people get first class priv now, anyone who started employment after BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) privatisation will generally have a standard class priv. I would suggest that most people traveling in first on a priv be retired BR staff and as time goes on this number will gradually reduce.

The Thames valley commuters are getting some stick for the stops made at slough and maidenhead, but expecting these commuters to get onto already crowded turbos is unreasonable, maybe this will change with crossrail but the spare capacity is not there to expect them to use the turbo services.

[thetrout]

Just done a calculation of fares for the 21:29 Taunton - London Paddington train via Bristol (Super Off Peak Service) and the 06:17 Taunton - Bristol via Westbury (Peak Service)
How much would it cost to go on the 21:29 in First Class? ^175.00
How much would it cost to go on the 21:29 in Standard Class? ^42.00
How much would it cost to go on the 06:17 in First Class? ^175.00
How much would it cost to go on the 06:17 in Standard Class? ^113.00
So in the Peak, the differential increase between First and Standard Class is 55% not too far off the previous Fare + 50% Difference of BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Days.

In the Super Off Peak, the differential increase between First and Standard Class is 317% I'm actually shocked at that. Assuming we look at the logic of a First Super Off Peak Single vs. Standard Super Off Peak Single + 55% you should pay ^65.10 to use First Class. NOT the ^175.00 fare that currently would be sold...!

Now how many of you would pay ^175.00 to sit in this carriage on the 21:29 Taunton - London Paddington Train with seldom done ticket checks no ticket checks between Taunton and Bath Spa, Get gatecrashed with drunken idiots from Bristol and beyond (Likely Weston on a bad day) who don't know when to stop drinking and have the first world problem of having to go to the buffet to get your refreshments?



How many would pay ^65.10 to sit in the same carriage on 21:29?

My answers are no and yes retrospectively...

Prices are PUBLIC Fares (no railcard discounts etc)

[Btline]

I am surprised that there are not more cheaper off peak 1st fares.

East Coast have lots of cheaper fares, better free food and drink and they've increased usage freeing up seats in the - often packed - second class.

What do FGW^▸ (First Great Western) do? Just axe a carriage of 1st class.

[ChrisB]

Coz the DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) told them to?

[Southern Stag]

I am surprised that there are not more cheaper off peak 1st fares.

East Coast have lots of cheaper fares, better free food and drink and they've increased usage freeing up seats in the - often packed - second class.

What do FGW^▸ (First Great Western) do? Just axe a carriage of 1st class.

East Coast may have lots of cheap Advance Purchase fares, but the walk up fares are fairly similarly priced to FGW.
Taunton-London Paddington: Cheapest Walk-Up First Class fare: ^203
Retford-London King's Cross (A similar distance to Taunton): Cheapest Walk-Up First Class fare: ^237 (Cheaper fares available by travelling with Hull Trains)

[broadgage]

I agree that walk up first class off peak tickets are unduly expensive.
Steerage fares in the off peak are significantly cheaper than in the peak, yet first class is often the same.

Not certain that a first class single from Taunton to London is over ^200 though ? I make that journey regularly and thought it was about ^170.