Virgin Pendolino Coach G this summer

[350401]

With the sun shining outside, it seems that summer is almost here. Thus got me thinking - does anyone know whether Virgin Trains will declassify Coach G as standard class this summer period, like they did last summer? Or has the new VHF timetable made it not needed? It would make sense, given that summertime + economic downturn = less business class travellers in July and August.

 

[me123]

Not to mention more UK holidays. (Although I'm not sure that Crewe, Preston and Milton Keynes are the most popular holiday destinations...)

 

[First ScotRail]

Preston is VERY VERY popular on VT services from the north with customers connecting onto Blackpool trains.

 

[me123]

Oh yeah, forgot about Blackpool

Other than Blackpool and Llandudno, I can't see any traditional holiday places on the WCML. Not that Glasgow, Manchester and London don't have lots to offer, of course.

 

[First class]

Summer Pops in Liverpool!

You also get loads going to Southport via Liverpool

Merseyrail even run a special summer timetable to cater!

 

[djw1981]

I'd have thought you keep the FC id=f more Uk holidays
holiday makers tend to book ahead and some will see going FC as a teat they can afford by not flying and it brings the same benefits.

 

[SuperVoyager]

Why should FC passengers have to cram into less coaches just for F***ing tourists. Cloging up the EFING roads with caravans and getting lost

 

[devon_metro]

Why should FC passengers have to cram into less coaches just for F***ing tourists. Cloging up the EFING roads with caravans and getting lost

You miss the point - there won't be enough First lass passengers to fill it up, whereas Standard will be packed.

 

[djw1981]

MAybe time to introduce Holiday first - like weekend first but available only in coach G July & august?

 

[SuperVoyager]

You miss the point - there won't be enough First lass passengers to fill it up, whereas Standard will be packed.

Make the B**terds walk

 

[djw1981]

Why the issue with train based tourist? They bring their money (and genes and daughters) into the inbred naval port and its' county environs but without the caravans. I;d have thought Devonians would like it. ;D

 

[SuperVoyager]

Why the issue with train based tourist? They bring their money (and genes and daughters) into the inbred naval port and its' county environs but without the caravans. I;d have thought Devonians would like it. ;D

Not very nice when your on the train with them... squirming around like worms in there

 

[voyagerdude220]

MAybe time to introduce Holiday first - like weekend first but available only in coach G July & august?

Sure..

How about prices between £50-£125 per person, inline with Super Voyager's feelings towards this thought?

 

[djw1981]

I was thinking more along weekend first prices.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I fully agree that if coach G is offered to standard class passengers during the summer, an upgrade should definately be payable, simply because it reduces the amount of room which FC passengers have to themselves.

 

[djw1981]

ALso I think a lot of SC passengers would pay £10 eachw ay for the upgrade - space, newspaper, at seat service, tea coffee snacks etc - its like a flight in taht it becomes part of the holiday.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I wouldn't personally offer the full service to SC passengers, if FC passengers got insulted at having to pay full price FC fares, whilst other people get the exact same service for alot less, all be it with a few more people sharing the carriage.

 

[djw1981]

It becomes very difficult for the customer service staff in that case.

 

[me123]

...some will see going FC as a teat they can afford...

Err... OK

Why should FC passengers have to cram into less coaches just for F***ing tourists. Cloging up the EFING roads with caravans and getting lost

That's a nice discriminatory view. Tourism is, in fact, one of the biggest industries in the UK, and the recession leading more people to stay here may provide a welcome boost to the economy in these small towns. It could play a key role in pulling us out of recession.

ALso I think a lot of SC passengers would pay £10 each way for the upgrade - space, newspaper, at seat service, tea coffee snacks etc - its like a flight in that it becomes part of the holiday.

I would agree with this. I for one would happily upgrade for a small supplement. For me, the holiday begins when I get to the airport, get on the bus or hop on the train and promoting this idea could be of benefit to the TOCs. I think, however, that the full service shouldn't be offered. Perhaps the seat and a single complementary snack would be sufficient for that price on weekday fares. Just a bit better than the declassified first.

 

[devon_metro]

Why the issue with train based tourist? They bring their money (and genes and daughters) into the inbred naval port and its' county environs but without the caravans. I;d have thought Devonians would like it. ;D

No, I don't like sitting in traffic jams for hours, however I work with them, so learn to put up with them.

 

[djw1981]

If they come by train, how do they cause traffic jams - only a few will hire a car??

 

[devon_metro]

Tourists in general. The same applies on the train. I am denied of a seat often.

 

[djw1981]

You can only be denied one if you reserved one, in which case the guard can make them move. A ticket does not guarantee a seat.

ANd if they bother you that much then long term you may have to move as the rest of Devon seems to quite like having tourist cash.

 

[devon_metro]

No, most Devon locals deteste the holiday seasons. Its only because we rely on it.

 

[snuk]

I dread to think what the AXC Voyagers are like running down to the West Country on Satruday's in July and August - would be a lovely run if they were quiet but I suspect otherwise. I've never been that way myself - been meaning to on a quiet journey - if there is such a thing - I've heard they are busy most of the time.

Steve.

 

[jon0844]

If there aren't enough people for first and you have more than one carriage, what's the harm in declassifying one of them?

As long as it's clearly marked, the only benefit is bigger seats. You don't need to offer the extra service, which remains for those 'next door' that paid the extra.

I really can't see a problem!

 

[Max]

Please mind your language SuperVoyager, thankyou!

 

[SuperVoyager]

Please mind your language SuperVoyager, thankyou!

O* s*rry

 

[djw1981]

I dread to think what the AXC Voyagers are like running down to the West Country on Satruday's in July and August - would be a lovely run if they were quiet but I suspect otherwise. I've never been that way myself - been meaning to on a quiet journey - if there is such a thing - I've heard they are busy most of the time.

Steve.

This is partly why they hire the HSTs from NXEC for the Holidaymaker saturdays.

 

[Nym]

Tourists in general. The same applies on the train. I am denied of a seat often.

Here ere, but then again, I commute home from MIA to BON on a train that goes to EDB, all but 3 seats on that train where reserved on saturday morning, TPE should have more 'unreservable seats'!