No Standard Class standees in First Class vestibules.

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Some of them evening peaks are having Didcot withdrawn from the stopping patterns and being replaced with a 'relief' train.

Please get your facts right before posting something as specific as this.

Only one Fridays only HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is having its Didcot stop removed - and that's the 1915 (Swansea?).

A 1912 Oxford relief will have a stop at Didcot instead.

[devon_metro]

Or simply a sign stating "This train does not stop at Reading"

[ChrisB]

I'm sure on-train announcements just prior to leaving, coupled with Revenue Inspectors for the first couple of weeks giving notrhing but verbal warnings would suffice.

[JayMac]

Or maybe a written warning (name and address taken) and if caught again then ching time.

[mjones]

Is "laziness" something that really deserves a penalty of this severity: "The full peak single to Taunton is three figures? You'll only do that once....."?? Compare and contrast with fines for motoring offences, scarcely proportionate.  This is not something that would be considered fair in terms of natural justice, never mind customer service. There have to be better ways to manage demand.

Is it that dis-proportionate ?
The fine for driving in a bus lane is now ^120, a broadly similar figure.
Many motoring offences carry fines of ^100.
Repeated motoring offences can lead to loss of the driving licence, repeated payment of penalty fares, excess fares or similar does not bar one from use of the rail network.

Yes, it is entirely disproportionate. I'm astonished that you'd consider getting off a train which is pick up only to be remotely comparable to a motoring offence. It is this sort of thing that gives the railways a reputation for being customer unfriendly, inflexible and expensive. It is very easy to see this only from the perspective of the regular traveller, or the staff member, who understands the ticketing system and restrictions and is fully aware of the reasons why such restrictions are in place. People like us in other words. What you aren't seeing is how it appears to the infrequent traveller, or the person who never uses the railway but is a potential new customer. Stories about getting on the wrong train or having the wrong ticket and being hit with what is basically a large fine are very off-putting and give the railways a poor image. Companies with a good reputation for customer service simply don't do this sort of thing. Basically, if the rail operator doesn't want Reading passengers on a train then it  is up to the operator to find a way of discouraging them from getting on it that doesn't involve treating people like criminals.

[SDS]

Some of them evening peaks are having Didcot withdrawn from the stopping patterns and being replaced with a 'relief' train.

Please get your facts right before posting something as specific as this.

Only one Fridays only HST^▸ (High Speed Train) is having its Didcot stop removed - and that's the 1915 (Swansea?).

A 1912 Oxford relief will have a stop at Didcot instead.

Yep thats what I meant.

[Timmer]

In reply to your last post mjones, infrequent travellers would be looking to the departure boards to let them know when the next train to Reading is due to leave so wouldn't know to board the train thats pick up only as Reading will not be shown. It's the everyday travellers who know that the 18.03 will be stopping at Reading that need FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to get tough with. A partial solution would be for the Train manager before the train departs when informing passengers that off-peak tickets are not valid on this train also mentioning that all tickets incl seasons to Reading are also not valid.

[ChrisB]

Indeed, mjones, we were referencing season ticket holders, I believe.

[super tm]

Just wanted to say I dont believe there is any penalty for travelling on a train which is officially pick-up only.  Have never heard of one on such trains i have worked.  Most travellers go by the departure boards and only a few people who read these forums will know it stops there anyway.

[IndustryInsider]

A 1912 Oxford relief will have a stop at Didcot instead.

And it's good that a relief service is being added to the timetable - though it does beg the question: where is the stock coming from?  It'll be a Turbo obviously.  Is something else being short formed (18:25ex PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains)?) as a result?  If not, why can't this train run during the rest of the week when it would also be very helpful relieving the crush.  Either way, I predict it'll jump straight to the top of the cancellation charts as if there's any Turbo shortages it'll be simple to revert back to the Monday-Thursday timetable and cancel it.

[Tim]

Just wanted to say I dont believe there is any penalty for travelling on a train which is officially pick-up only.  Have never heard of one on such trains i have worked.  Most travellers go by the departure boards and only a few people who read these forums will know it stops there anyway.

There is a penalty (charging you to next set-down stop with or without a penalty fare).  It is just never enforced.  I don't have a problem with enforcement for repeat offenders IF it is a last resort and other things have been tried first.

So long as the penalty isn't a surprise I'd be OK with it. 

 

[Umberleigh]

In response to the opening post, I would like to congratulate FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for ensuring that First Class is for First Class ticket holders only.

In recent weeks I have travelled in First with South West Trains (EXD^» (Exeter St Davids - next trains) to CLJ return) and various journeys on Southern, South Eastern, First Capital Connect, East Midlands Trains and Gatwick Express. Only East Midlands made any effort to ensure that those of us in First had paid for it and it was apparent that Standard ticket holders were casually occupying First on virtually every service. What ticket checks that were undertaken were only ever at the start of the journey eg Lewes (to Victoria), thus ensuring that First was crammed with French teenagers after Gatwick (oh joy!).

The SWT^▸ (South West Trains) EXD - WAT was crammed (3 coaches all the way to WAT ) and I personally have no problem with, for example, parents with small children being upgraded by the guard. However, as it was, a family emerged from Standard after Yeovil, celebrated finding four empty seats with a table and spent the rest of their journey discussing how they would 'make a stand' if asked for their tickets. They needn't have worried as two different guards blatantly ignored them on different occasions. My ticket? ^171 return. All I ask is that they were made to acknowledge that they were being given a one-off upgrade rather than - in my opinion - being ignored because of the 'hassle' involved.

I should perhaps make clear that I was travelling in a private capacity and that I was not claiming my tickets on expenses or using a pass. How do I know that other passengers in First have Standard tickets? Just watch and listen! Have used FGW for about a dozen EXD - PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) return First trips in past 3 months and they are clearly making a determined effort to clamp down on Standard stragglers, even between Reading and PAD.

Incidentally, East Midlands First Class scores some points over FGW; china crockery laid out on table, prompt at-seat service, glossy 'welcome' brochure incorporating menus and a little more generous with the freebies (!). However, the seating layout of the Meridians (?) is poor, with several seats having no window and the general feel and decor inferior to FGW HST^▸ (High Speed Train). Long live the Mk 3!

[broadgage]

Agree with the above post, enforcement of first class USED to be very poor on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and almost non existant between Reading and London.
It is now enforced with some vigour, I am glad to say.

As regards service in First class, the restaurant is very good, but 2 a day is not much.
Other at seat service is very variable in qaulity, sometimes frequent and obliging, sometimes less so and sometimes non-existant.

[IndustryInsider]

Agree with the above post, enforcement of first class USED to be very poor on FGW^▸ (First Great Western) and almost non existant between Reading and London.
It is now enforced with some vigour, I am glad to say.

Only on HSS^▸ (High Speed Services) services.  On Turbos it remains practically non existent.

[inspector_blakey]

I nearly fell off my seat when my ticket was checked between PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains) and OXF^» (Oxford - next trains) on a Turbo a few weeks back. Don't think it was an RPI^▸ (Revenue Protection Inspector (or Retail Price Index, depending on the context)) though, and the service was running through to Worcester or Malvern, so I wonder if the guard who was due to take over at Oxford was on-board and just decided to do some revenue to pass the time.