Only one with a 1st class ticket (Southern)

[Deerfold]

I'm sure I could find an example of a few journeys where the difference is 500% or more if I really wanted to, but I don't think it's worth continuing to argue against such pedantry.

I argued that they were not *common* as you said. You implied that this was a typical difference, not one that you can find a handful of examples of.

Just because I've disagreed with you doesn't mean I'm being pedantic - I'm not arguing against some minor unrelated point but the main part of your argument which you told me wasn't an exaggeration.

As a reminder:

But then, it generally only costs between 50% and 75% more than the equivalent journey in second class, rather than the 500% differential that is common in the UK.

 

[kieron]

Just because I've disagreed with you doesn't mean I'm being pedantic - I'm not arguing against some minor unrelated point but the main part of your argument which you told me wasn't an exaggeration.

It only costs an extra 146% for a return between Helsby and Lancaster in First Class instead of standard (to keep things simple, there is only one return ticket available in each class). Is it your contention that this isn't a lot of money?

There are cheap first class tickets, of course. Cheap first class advance tickets are fairly common (if not for Helsby-Lancaster), and many ToCs offer cheap, or even free, upgrades from standard at the weekend.

Season tickets are interesting, as it looks as though they set first class ones to 50% more than standard ones, and most TOCs have just left them there. So a Reading-Paddington season ticket costs 116% more in 1st, a Twyford-London one 50% more.

I was more interested in Squaddie's statement that First Class only costs an extra 50-75% "on the continent". Which country (or countries) does this? And how well used are the first class sections there compared to standard?

 

[bb21]

It only costs an extra 146% for a return between Helsby and Lancaster in First Class instead of standard (to keep things simple, there is only one return ticket available in each class). Is it your contention that this isn't a lot of money?

That is not his argument at all.

 

[30907]

I was more interested in Squaddie's statement that First Class only costs an extra 50-75% "on the continent". Which country (or countries) does this? And how well used are the first class sections there compared to standard?

For full fare tickets, and in countries which still use distance-based tariffs, the traditional 50% is still the standard mark-up though not invariable. At the other extreme, TGV Prem's fares in France can be lower in first than second on occasion (like on Virgin!).

German regional trains pretty much always have first class - but Norway and Austria (for example) confine first class to inter-city routes.

From very limited experience, first on German IC/ICE is slightly (but not hugely) better patronised during the day than was the norm in the UK before "free" food.

 

[cjp]

Yesterday evening when coming home from work, out of 5 other people in 1st, I was the only one with a 1st class ticket. The RPI had a field day and raked in loads of fines! I wonder when people will learn :roll:

I wish First Great Western would send a someone like that onto a one ot two of their Thames Valley trains for a evening.
Perhaps with a BTP bod as back up?

Should be good for a few hundred pounds depending how fast they get people processed

 

[kieron]

That is not his argument at all.

All I know about his argument is that he doesn't like the 500% figure. But if 500% is wrong, then so what? Unless Deerfold was just being pedantic, despite his protests to the contrary, there has to be more to it to that.

Do you have an idea what it is, or did you post for some other reason?

 

[bb21]

This is ridiculous. I am only basing my opinion on what is written here.

As far as I can see, the only thing that Deerfold argued against is the statement,

But then, it generally only costs between 50% and 75% more than the equivalent journey in second class, rather than the 500% differential that is common in the UK.

which is blatantly not true. I don't see anything he has said which indicates what you claimed earlier,

It only costs an extra 146% for a return between Helsby and Lancaster in First Class instead of standard (to keep things simple, there is only one return ticket available in each class). Is it your contention that this isn't a lot of money?

If you want to make an argument about First Class premiums being too high, then make it, but don't try and twist other people's arguments.

This thread is locked. Move on.