EMR Intercity going on SeatFrog

[Skymonster]

Not sure I’ll bother given EMR’s rather woeful first class offer - and EMR isn’t even mentioned as a partner of the SeatFrog website yet

First Class upgrades with Seatfrog | EMR

Whether you’re travelling for business or for leisure, we want to give you more opportunities to experience First Class service on our trains. We’ve teamed up with Seatfrog and you can get a First Class upgrade from as little as £13 using their app. Download the Seatfrog app Download the app

www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Whether you’re travelling for business or for leisure, we want to give you more opportunities to experience First Class service on our trains. We’ve teamed up with Seatfrog and you can now get a First Class upgrade from as little as £10 using their app.

Bid to win with Seatfrog competition​

To mark the launch Seatfrog have launched a bid to win competition. To enter the competition download the Seatfrog app and bid on an upgrade between 28 June and 14 August. You will be automatically entered into a prize draw to win 2x First Class return tickets on EMR services. T&C's apply.

 

[Llandudno]

It seems somewhat pointless paying extra to upgrade to travel ‘First Class’ on EMR’s awful Class 222’s.

Just checked to see what a typical ‘upgrade’ would be for a random mid morning train from Sheffield to London, buy it now was an extra £22, or the lowest starting bid was £14.

The real issue is that too high a percentage of first class accommodation is allocated to EMR Inter City journeys and that at least by using Seatfrog may give customers with open tickets the opportunity to actually get a seat rather than standing in second class.

 

[BJames]

I've used EMR's first class a few times and all of those times I've been able to pick up advance first for between £3-6 more than standard - not sure I would upgrade through Seatfrog (I would more likely if I thought it would be seriously busy in standard, Forest playing or something).

The first class seats are, in my opinion, really comfortable, but as just mentioned above, on 7-car services (less now, I know) and random 5 car services, the proportion is just off. Not to mention some units which have declassified first in certain sections because of over-provision - the food is hardly worth upgrading for.

It is a big shame about their lack of first class lounges. LNER really outshines them there and given their London bases are just across the road from each other, I would be far more inclined to want to go First on LNER.

 

[QSK19]

The first class seats are, in my opinion, really comfortable, but as just mentioned above, on 7-car services (less now, I know) and random 5 car services, the proportion is just off. Not to mention some units which have declassified first in certain sections because of over-provision - the food is hardly worth upgrading for.

It is a big shame about their lack of first class lounges. LNER really outshines them there and given their London bases are just across the road from each other, I would be far more inclined to want to go First on LNER.

Unfortunately, that’s what one gets with EMR being the poorer relation of the WCML/MML/ECML TOCs and being continuously shafted by the DfT. The rolling stock issues across the whole EMR network - not just IC - have been a joke and passengers have had let down after let down.

Things like Seatfrog are glossing over the fundamental problems with EMR (which have been covered to death all over RF) - it’s yet another example of style over substance.

 

[STINT47]

I've just taken a look at an upgrade this evening on the 19:35 St Pancras to Nottingham. £20 to buy it now.

Whilst first class on a 222 is pleasant enough it's nothing amazing and to be honest it's starting to look a bit tired and pre loved. The food on board is also OK but not remarkable whilst there is no lounge in London anymore. I guess what I am trying to say is that it seems a bit expensive to be worth the extra.

If I wanted first class I would be more likely to take LNER to Grantham then change for Nottingham. I could use the lounge at the cross and if traveled on the 19:33 departure I would get hot food and to travel on a MK4 coach, which has excellent first class.

Having looked at the fares for EMR I am currently paying £24.50 for a standard advance (booked a few weeks ago) and would need £20 for seat frog, total £44.50. I could book a LNER first advance on the 19:33 right now to Grantham then a standard anytime single to Nottingham for a total of £49.90. So not much difference in price and if I'd booked the LNER advance a few weeks ago presumably it would have been cheaper?

I think this just goes to show what someone said earlier EMR are the poor relation to their neighbours on the Euston Road

 

[WesternLancer]

Yes, with most of the EMR services at least on the Nottingham run being only 5 cars the rejig means they can have on occasion as little as 3 std class carriages it seems - at many times this is woeful for the the general market they serve in the destination cities (eg lots of young people and student types who are price conscious and not going to want to pay for 1st) - leading to crowded std class - so this may be a way to get a half decent seat!

Not sure if this is going to change with the interior refresh of the meridian fleet (ie are they reducing the amount of 1st class as part of that?). Even if that only tackles the very tired standards of the interiors, which is very notable in Std Class, it is no bad thing - but the balance of accomodation is badly wrong - pre covid the HSTs would have had 5 std class carriages IIRC.

 

[Kite159]

I've just taken a look at an upgrade this evening on the 19:35 St Pancras to Nottingham. £20 to buy it now.

Whilst first class on a 222 is pleasant enough it's nothing amazing and to be honest it's starting to look a bit tired and pre loved. The food on board is also OK but not remarkable whilst there is no lounge in London anymore. I guess what I am trying to say is that it seems a bit expensive to be worth the extra.

If I wanted first class I would be more likely to take LNER to Grantham then change for Nottingham. I could use the lounge at the cross and if traveled on the 19:33 departure I would get hot food and to travel on a MK4 coach, which has excellent first class.

Having looked at the fares for EMR I am currently paying £24.50 for a standard advance (booked a few weeks ago) and would need £20 for seat frog, total £44.50. I could book a LNER first advance on the 19:33 right now to Grantham then a standard anytime single to Nottingham for a total of £49.90. So not much difference in price and if I'd booked the LNER advance a few weeks ago presumably it would have been cheaper?

I think this just goes to show what someone said earlier EMR are the poor relation to their neighbours on the Euston Road

You might even be able to get an advance straight to Nottingham from Kings Cross with an LNER+connections ticket which could save more money (depending if they charge a premium over a 1st advance to Grantham then a flexible single to Nottingham.

I agree with the interiors of the 222s is looking tired these days, the last couple times I've used a 222 in standard class, the seat cushion had collapsed (similar to some of the Northern 158s before they got new seats fitted)

 

[Mikw]

I've only done first class on EMR once, on a 222. The catering wasn't available due to industrial action, so the only difference was a better seat - not been in any hurry to book it again really.

 

[WillPS]

I love the fact the seat in that promo image looks completely grubby. Full marks for honesty.

EMR First Class is a bit of a joke now, which is a huge shame as under MML and EMT especially it was a really good quality offering - lounges, papers, actual flipping crockery... now it's just a better chance of a slightly less knackered seat.

 

[johnw]

I was sent an email about this, but that there is no First Class from Wellingborough anymore!

 

[Mikw]

I was sent an email about this, but that there is no First Class from Wellingborough anymore!

You're not missing much....

I guess you sort of have the declassified first class on the 360's at no extra cost.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I love the fact the seat in that promo image looks completely grubby. Full marks for honesty.

EMR First Class is a bit of a joke now, which is a huge shame as under MML and EMT especially it was a really good quality offering - lounges, papers, actual flipping crockery... now it's just a better chance of a slightly less knackered seat.

I think their on train daytime offering nowadays is better than it was pre covid though? Granted, the hot breakfast trains are gone and no lounges.

 

[WesternLancer]

I think their on train daytime offering nowadays is better than it was pre covid though? Granted, the hot breakfast trains are gone and no lounges.

Not really sure about that:

- proper crockery replaced by paper (tho that will be due to covid and inability to wash crockery at high temps I suspect)
- free food / sandwich (but the hot sausage cob I had the other week was appallingly low quality) - compared with the modest priced hot food menu that was inherited from EMT but which I thought was a much better quality/value meal - better to pay a fair sum for genuinely better quality in my view
- what is better is that on Saturdays there is some sort of 1st class offer for much of the day - whereas before it was a free tea or coffee if you went to the buffet counter to get it, beyond the sat morning breakfast services trains that existed
- The removal of the excellent full breakfast Saturday morning services is a massive downgrade- they were extremely popular.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Not really sure about that:

- proper crockery replaced by paper (tho that will be due to covid and inability to wash crockery at high temps I suspect)
- free food / sandwich (but the hot sausage cob I had the other week was appallingly low quality) - compared with the modest priced hot food menu that was inherited from EMT but which I thought was a much better quality/value meal - better to pay a fair sum for genuinely better quality in my view
- what is better is that on Saturdays there is some sort of 1st class offer for much of the day - whereas before it was a free tea or coffee if you went to the buffet counter to get it, beyond the sat morning breakfast services trains that existed
- The removal of the excellent full breakfast Saturday morning services is a massive downgrade- they were extremely popular.

Proper crockery was limited to the breakfast trains though I recall?
I did agree in the message you quoted that the hot breakfast trains doesn't make the offering better than pre-covid, quite the opposite.

 

[WesternLancer]

Proper crockery was limited to the breakfast trains though I recall?

No - pre covid the tables in 1st were always laid up with china cups and saucers, and glasses all day. Any of the (paid for) food you ordered was served on china with metal knives and forks - by which I mean the all day menu items.

IIRC this only stopped with covid when all catering was suspended.

When I say china I probably mean earthenware I think, strictly speaking.

Yes, noted your point about cooked breakfasts of course.

 

[Andy Pacer]

No - pre covid the tables in 1st were always laid up with china cups and saucers, and glasses all day. Any of the (paid for) food you ordered was served on china with metal knives and forks - by which I mean the all day menu items.

IIRC this only stopped with covid when all catering was suspended.

When I say china I probably mean earthenware I think, strictly speaking.

Yes, noted your point about cooked breakfasts of course.

Thanks, admittedly i'd only really travelled on the breakfast trains in first, and on one occasion the Friday evening "wine trains" off St Pancras.

I think the complimentary snack bag is better than previous in the daytime (for "free" items) but strongly agree with the breakfast disappointments.

Think we're broadly on the same page!

 

[WesternLancer]

Thanks, admittedly i'd only really travelled on the breakfast trains in first, and on one occasion the Friday evening "wine trains" off St Pancras.

I think the complimentary snack bag is better than previous in the daytime (for "free" items) but strongly agree with the breakfast disappointments.

Think we're broadly on the same page!

Oh yes, quite agree with that. They have indeed improved the snacks (but sacrificed the ability to buy a decent meal).

The other problem is that sometimes if staffing low they can't offer the free stuff - so if you think you are going to be hungry you go and get sandwiches before you board - and then have less need of the free stuff. This is less than ideal but I'm not using it enough to know how common this situation is.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Oh yes, quite agree with that. They have indeed improved the snacks (but sacrificed the ability to buy a decent meal).

The other problem is that sometimes if staffing low they can't offer the free stuff - so if you think you are going to be hungry you go and get sandwiches before you board - and then have less need of the free stuff. This is less than ideal but I'm not using it enough to know how common this situation is.

Agreed. I have a 1st class early morning ticket from Leicester to London in a few weeks time (was cheaper than standard) so will see what the current fayre is - not been 1st on EMR since Pre Covid.

 

[WesternLancer]

Agreed. I have a 1st class early morning ticket from Leicester to London in a few weeks time (was cheaper than standard) so will see what the current fayre is - not been 1st on EMR since Pre Covid.

Will be interesting to read your views on how you think it has changed.
For various reasons I had to travel during covid lock-downs and during the time they re-introduced a basic 'food bag' offer in 1st and through to the current offer - so feel that I have experienced the 1st offer as it has graduated through the process.

To be fair to EMR some of the changes they had to make they would have had no other option due to covid, but that is less the case now.

 

[trover]

Does EMR have catering in first class now? Tempted to travel with them to London as an alternative to Avanti during tickets sales suspension

 

[Skymonster]

Does EMR have catering in first class now? Tempted to travel with them to London as an alternative to Avanti during tickets sales suspension

Yep - breakfast rolls, sandwiches, snack, hot and soft drinks only though and anything else is PAYG. No first class lounges either now. IMO except for the bigger seat and less crowded carriages it’s a pretty poor proposition these days.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I've seen reference to some kind of chicken pasta dish, so I assume that must be part of the rest of the day offering.
I believe the meals to purchase stopped when catering was suspended during covid, but happy to be corrected if anyone has travelled 1st recently.

 

[Skymonster]

As I said…

Catering

Choose from a selection of quality complimentary food, tasty treats and drinks, all served at your seat by your on board host throughout your journey. Our complimentary offer will be available to First Class customers Monday to Saturday.

On our morning services you will receive a choice of a hot breakfast roll, along with individually wrapped snacks including pastries, breakfast bars and biscuits. Please note the breakfast options are provided up to and including the following services: 10:00 leaving Sheffield, 10:12 leaving Nottingham, and the 10:05 leaving London St Pancras.

In the afternoon there will be a choice of a sandwich, wrap or salad, cakes, pretzels and crisps, along with a selection of hot drinks, waters and fresh orange and apple juice. You can now purchase alcohol on board, see the full range of alcohol available below.

 

[BJames]

I've seen reference to some kind of chicken pasta dish, so I assume that must be part of the rest of the day offering.
I believe the meals to purchase stopped when catering was suspended during covid, but happy to be corrected if anyone has travelled 1st recently.

Indeed - I have travelled in EMR first not too long ago and the offering is exactly as @Skymonster states - there are no "meals to purchase" and you do get offered breakfast rolls etc in the morning (times above) and sandwiches throughout the rest of the day, as well as crisps/biscuits - all of this is included in the ticket price, nothing to stop you purchasing something else off the main catering trolley if you so desire (although come to think of it, this hasn't been through first on any of my three most recent FC journeys with EMR, but it has been through standard on most occasions I've travelled standard so not sure if you'd have to go and find the trolley?)

 

[Andy Pacer]

As I said…

Thanks. Didn't realise your PAYG reference was for alcohol alone.
"As I said" they used to offer some hot meals to purchase in 1st pre covid, wasn't sure if that had come back. My only 1st journeys on EMR in recent times have been at breakfast time.
Many thanks again.

 

[m4tt]

I've seen reference to some kind of chicken pasta dish, so I assume that must be part of the rest of the day offering.

I've done my fair share of first class journeys on EMR for my rover ticket. Breakfast is a hot bacon/sasuage butty. Lunch/Dinner is usually a choice of sandwiches or the spicy tomato chicken pasta both of which were very enjoyable. Drinks and snakcs are offered after every stop too

 

[ChrisC]

I've done my fair share of first class journeys on EMR for my rover ticket. Breakfast is a hot bacon/sasuage butty. Lunch/Dinner is usually a choice of sandwiches or the spicy tomato chicken pasta both of which were very enjoyable. Drinks and snakcs are offered after every stop too

The sandwiches on EMR are very good quality. I especially like the beef and salad ones. I always travel First Class if I go down to London from Nottingham for a few days at a time when I can use the Super Off Peak Return. With my Senior Railcard it’s under £30 more than Standard Class. By the time I’ve had about 3 coffees, bottled water, biscuits, crisps and a sandwich I feel that together with a less crowded quieter journey, a more comfortable seat and somewhere close by to store my case it’s well worth the extra money. I don’t bother with Advance Tickets as I like the flexibility.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I've done my fair share of first class journeys on EMR for my rover ticket. Breakfast is a hot bacon/sasuage butty. Lunch/Dinner is usually a choice of sandwiches or the spicy tomato chicken pasta both of which were very enjoyable. Drinks and snakcs are offered after every stop too

It was your thread from which I mentioned the pasta!

 

[_toommm_]

Is there no full English trains anymore since the HSTs were withdrawn? I used to love travelling on the 07:28? from Sheffield via Nottingham to London. It was always quiet because there was a service a few minutes later that arrived into London an hour earlier.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Is there no full English trains anymore since the HSTs were withdrawn? I used to love travelling on the 07:28? from Sheffield via Nottingham to London. It was always quiet because there was a service a few minutes later that arrived into London an hour earlier.

That's correct.
The Saturday morning one was good too considering how limited other operators 1st class offering were/are on Saturdays.