First Class Thameslink

[dlj83]

What is the policy on the new Class 700 trains on the Sutton Loop about first class.

Yesterday I boarded at St Pancras and sat in first class (as it said 1st class was declassified) however at Farringdon an RPI got on and told all 6 of us that if we didn't leave immediately we would need to pay a penalty fare.

It was my understanding (At least on the 319's on the Sutton Loop) that even if there was a first class section you could sit anywhere, has this changed with the new trains on this line?

 

[Hadders]

I believe Sutton Loop services only carry Standard Class accommodation according to the timetable so the RPI was incorrect in asking you to move.

 

[methethpropbut]

Well darn, I posted about this exact situation a while ago and now it's happened for real. I took a Sutton train once and it was definitely announced that First Class was declassified. I guess to play devil's advocate for a moment, it's good the RPI didn't actually issue you a penalty fare.

I'd bring this up with a nice letter of feedback if I were you.

 

[Kite159]

IIRC there are a few Sutton Loop services in the peaks which carry 1st Class, normally the ones which continue to Bedford. Should be highlighted on the timetable

 

[bb21]

Which service was it?

 

[dlj83]

2206 St Pancras southbound

 

[Bletchleyite]

I fail to understand what the point of this approach is. Why not have it actually as 1st?

 

[gray1404]

2206 St Pancras southbound

I've checked the timetable and that train doesn't carry first class accommodation. The RPI was therefore incorrect. It makes me wonder what he would have done had you just been sat there on your own. Of course it is a lot harder to deal with 6 passengers then incorrectly issue a PF to 1.

You should certainly report the RPI to the the train company for their incorrect behavior. Include a full description of them and if their reply is not satisfactory take the matter to Transport Focus. I am all for RPIs checking tickets but with rights come responsibilities. It is simply wrong that a passenger is being threatened that unless they move from somewhere they are entitled to be, they will be given a nul and void PF.

 

[Hadders]

Sadly this is typical behaviour from GTR. I seem to remember a forum member having to carry a copy of the timetable with him so he could point out to RPIs who tried to PF him that the service he was on didn't have 1st class.

 

[westcoaster]

Point out the de classification message which scrolls through on the pis screens.

 

[Starmill]

I fail to understand what the point of this approach is. Why not have it actually as 1st?

The trains are unstaffed and almost all of the stations are too. What would be the point? There must be so many people already who travel along the loop without any kind of ticket.

What possible market could t be for First Class on such journeys!

 

[Kite159]

The trains are unstaffed and almost all of the stations are too. What would be the point? There must be so many people already who travel along the loop without any kind of ticket.

What possible market could t be for First Class on such journeys!

Probably using a contactless card as a backup in case of the odd RPI check.

BTW dlj83, were you in the front or rear first class sections?

 

[causton]

Probably using a contactless card as a backup in case of the odd RPI check.

Not being privy to this sort of internal information TfL would have, and I have never used the new Oyster/Contactless readers, I don't think this actually works.

I think the barriers must communicate immediately with a back office these days, as I have heard of people being penalty fared by London Overground for not touching in their contactless card. So there must be a way for the reader to know they have or have not touched in...
...either that or London Overground may hire some less than perfect revenue protection staff!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

IIRC there are a few Sutton Loop services in the peaks which carry 1st Class, normally the ones which continue to Bedford. Should be highlighted on the timetable

That is correct, there are several services which display a "1" above them on the timetable sheets on the platform at Wimbledon.

 

[Kite159]

Not being privy to this sort of internal information TfL would have, and I have never used the new Oyster/Contactless readers, I don't think this actually works.

I think the barriers must communicate immediately with a back office these days, as I have heard of people being penalty fared by London Overground for not touching in their contactless card. So there must be a way for the reader to know they have or have not touched in...
...either that or London Overground may hire some less than perfect revenue protection staff!

Unless it has changed I was under the impression that the card readers will only report an issue if the card being used is blacklisted.

But less than perfect revenue protection staff, like the one who attempted to scan my paper travelcard

 

[Starmill]

First Class tickets aren't even available for most of these journeys.

E.g. South Merton to London has no First Class tickets available.

Tickets from Sutton to London are available though in First Class - £9.30 single and £17 return

 

[infobleep]

The trains are unstaffed and almost all of the stations are too. What would be the point? There must be so many people already who travel along the loop without any kind of ticket.

What possible market could t be for First Class on such journeys!

Well a few services do carry first class, just to confuse the issue. Still life would be boring if it were simple.