First class on trains - what's the point?

[Aictos]

I did indeed, there certainly were idiotic comments made by both FCC and Passengers!

It was actually well done when Elaine was there but the past webchats give off the impression that management can't see they lost touch with reality and their passengers with copy and paste replies being used - might seem harsh but sadly true.

 

[Failed Unit]

I did indeed, there certainly were idiotic comments made by both FCC and Passengers!

It was actually well done when Elaine was there but the past webchats give off the impression that management can't see they lost touch with reality and their passengers with copy and paste replies being used - might seem harsh but sadly true.

Just like Scotrails recently

Back onto the what is the point of first class, I would ask what is the point of 1st Class on Scotrails 158's? The only route I could think about them working on which requires 1st class is Aberdeen - Inverness which is normally booked for a 158. Yes they strengthen 170's to Inverness & Aberdeen from Edinburgh and Glasgow but any first class passenger would use the Turbo anyway, they are unlikely to have 2 trolleys anyway. Sometimes they substiture 170's on E&G and Northern routes, but so do the SPT 170's which also have no 1st Class. You are much more likely to see an SPT unit on an express route than a 158 so why did they bother fitting it on the recent refurbs?

 

[Aictos]

Well had a close look yesterday on my 321 home, the first class is miles ahead of anything offered by the 317s or 365s, if anything I can see why a certain member prefers to wait 30 minutes to use one back home then get a 313!

 

[yorksrob]

I haven't been on many comfortable buses either, coaches maybe

Indeed, and coaches aren't all up to that much. Having spent about five hours on one from Leeds to London!

 

[jon0844]

Got the 1727 KGX to WGC today (4-car 321) and first class was actually full!

 

[87015]

Got the 1727 KGX to WGC today (4-car 321) and first class was actually full!

But how many had FC tickets?

 

[jon0844]

Well, that would be for an RPI to find out.

My guess is almost none. It's declassified, and it seems everyone now knows which is a shame. FCC even told everyone on their 'meet the directors' forum yesterday.

By 1857 (when it's a 4-car again, as the 1757 and 1827 are both 6-car) the loadings are way down, especially as there's a 1852 fast service before it.

 

[rob395]

I'd say it depends. I agree that 1st class is pointless on commuter services. When SouthEastern 375s were first introduced there was no designated 1st class area. What they've now done is covered the seats in a different colour moquette and added an antimacasser to a bay of seats nearest the cab. So all you get for the extra money is a chair back! The 395s don't have 1st class.

I think it's a good idea for Intercity routes. You get plenty of room and if travelling alone you get the chance (depending on the route and unit) of an individual seat. Many Intercity TOCs also offer some real bargains for travelling 1st class if booked well in advance.

 

[Moog_1984]

First Class is ridiculous on Pendolinos, who thought it would be a good idea to make pretty much half the train FC? :?

Yeah, was there some sort of public-service-requirement for the number of 1st coaches?

On routes like London-manchester 1st has always been busy for the "red eye" and northbound early evening services. On some west country 50/ 47 and 125 diagrams in the 80s, the first was virtually empty. Same as on any of the first gen DMUS.

We blagged a pile of "declassified" window labels in 1983 and had put them on after "gripper" (gaurd) changes , especially for 1st class compos. Luxury....

Another blagg- is it still possible to have dinner in restaurant cars with a standard class ticket? I used to blagg this on London-manc's and most often get to sit there all the way in. BR restaurant food was in a different class to being Buf-fetted!

 

[F Great Eastern]

I am fine on second class on most trains but if booking in advance on NXEA to London I have to go first class because standard class is just dire.

First class has little more, other than more comfy seats, more room for luggage and tables usually with the reclining button broken, no free refreshemnts, no sockets, lamps that normally don't work and no at seat service, but at least it's somewhat acceptable.

I like First class on FGW, but I wouldn't go as far as saying I HAVE to travel by it, but with NXEA I make an exception, I'd rather go from Ipswich to Colchester and change for a 321 or a 360 than travel standard class all the way to London on an MK3

 

[ChrisCooper]

You'd rarther travel on a 321 than a Mk3? Oh well.

 

[Drsatan]

I think passengers would be prepared to pay extra to travel first class if, firstly, first class fares were not so ridiculously expensive. A first class off-peak return from Southampton Central to Waterloo is £55.30, and for that price the passenger recieves:

• Seats that recline a fraction
• A different carpet and seat moquette
• Individual reading lights
• Power sockets
• Curtains
• ermm, that's it

The passenger doesn't recieve any free food or drink, which for the price you might expect, although on other operators the passenger does (subject to availability). As many have already stated, first class on many trains simply means a different seat moquette and nothing else (375/377s, 465s).

Finally, on XC services which from my own experience can become ridiculously overcrowded, there is a moral argument that first class should be abolished to provide extra seating capacity. Again, this is a temporary solution until either the Voyagers are withdrawn on XC services, lengthened or different trains are used.

 

[F Great Eastern]

DrSatan thats quite generous compared to NXEA

 

[Geezertronic]

• Seats that recline a fraction
• A different carpet and seat moquette
• Individual reading lights
• Power sockets
• Curtains
• ermm, that's it

The Pendolino's offer 2+1 seating in First Class (2+2 in Standard) with wider seats

 

[MCR247]

And food

 

[Geezertronic]

And food

Personally I like the breakfast menu, the evening meal leaves a lot to be desired I think

 

[jrhilton]

I always wondered how many passengers in first are in fact ex-BR with a certain number of first class trips free a year for life etc?