Have Greater Anglia reduced the differential between 1st and standard

[MP33]

It is coming up to that time of year again when I renew my 1st class annual season ticket. Using the season ticket checker I have been quoted a price around 10% lower than last year. Standard prices appear as expected. I have emailed Greater Anglia and await their response.

I know the rolling stock interiors require something of a refresh. But surely they would rather abolish 1st class than reduce the difference.

 

[greatkingrat]

What route is it for?

 

[Bungle965]

What route is it for?

I was wondering the same.
Sam

 

[MP33]

southend victoria to liverpool street via romford.
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I found the credit card receipts for 2013 and 2014. There was a small discount with delay repay vouchers being presented.

2013 £5524
2014 £5685

The season ticket checker is giving £5133.

Very odd.

 

[Simon11]

Having a quick look on Avantix shows that you are correct with:

Now: £5,136 Jan-May 2015 with £3,668 in std
Was: £5,728 Jan-May 2014 with £3,580 in std

There was a normal increase on standard though. Looks like they are reducing the STD-1st differential from 1.6 to only 1.4. I personally think that its mad charging 1.6* for first class on that route.

 

[MP33]

I thought that standard had increased as advertised in the press.

I was thinking have I been previously overcharged for a service I do not want.

If prices have dropped Greater Anglia have not publicised this at all. As they keep quiet that pregnant ladies and other temporary disabilities can be upgraded for free, perhaps the railway managers who are most of the users do not want 1st class swamped.
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I have received a reply from Greater Anglia customer relations. They more or less suggested that I had made a mistake. I replied providing the information I have in front of me and what I have been told.

I checked the fare for Southminster, which is the same distance as Southend Victoria. It is around £700 higher. I still feel that Greater Anglia, where in the case of the Southend Victoria line and before it was transferred the Metro service, the customer has an alternative. Do not charge as much as services where the customer does not.

If prices have gone down during the validity of my season ticket. Legally can I seek a refund?

 

[razor89]

If prices have gone down during the validity of my season ticket. Legally can I seek a refund?

You might be due a refund on the remaining validity of your season ticket subject to GA's rules/ procedures. They wouldn't just give you the difference between the old/ new prices off your current season ticket though.

If the price goes up during the validity of your season ticket you wouldn't expect to be billed for the difference would you?

 

[Paul Kelly]

You can get a refund (less an administration fee) and buy a new ticket at the new price. The refund value of an annual season is not pro-rata though, and decreases over time until after 10 months and 13 days have been used the refund value is zero, so it would require some careful calculations to determine if you would save money doing this.

 

[greatkingrat]

The OP said the ticket is nearly due for renewal, so it is unlikely it would have any refund value remaining.

 

[MP33]

I have received a further reply from Greater Anglia.

Thank you for your further email clarifying the cost of your tickets.

After reviewing this with our Pricing Analyst, I can now confirm that First Class fares have been reduced this year to help ease the overcrowding we experience on this line, in Standard Class. It was also our aim to help make First Class more affordable for all customers.

I hope this information clarifies the difference you have seen in the cost of your season ticket and thank you for getting in touch.

Yours sincerely,

Anne Froud
Customer Relations Advisor
Abellio Greater Anglia

I would take issue with making 1st class more affordable for all customers, looking at the fares for other routes.

 

[47513 Severn]

They have also introduced some very reasonable first off peak returns and off peak day returns on the GEML and possibly elsewhere. They have the same restrictions as the equivalent standard product and are usually around 30-40% more.

More reasonable off peak first class fares are something I have often seen called for on here. Even if the motive is extra revenue this is somewhere the much maligned AGA seem to have done what the customers want. If you use them on the Norwich services you even get some freebies as well.

47513