Staff with First Class passes

[Lancelot82]

I'm in the UK for a month and intend to travel by rail often.

This morning, I used a Cross Country Voyager to the Black Hole in Birmingham. I was surpised to see that there was only 1 First Class carriage and this was already full on boarding. I had purchased a First Class single ticket at the ticket office, and so I stood for the 40 minute journey to the Black Hole.

When I later spoke to the guard and asked if there were any seats, he went into the carriage and removed 4 seated customers who had free First Class passes. Quite rightly, the guard had a go at these people for remaining in their seats when fare paying customers were standing. So I managed to have a seat for the last 5 minutes of the journey, along with 3 other First Class standees, whilst the previous occupants were kicking a fuss about now having to stand.

I have nothing against those who may benefit from free rail travel but it is frankly absurd to abuse the privilege by allowing fare paying First Class customers such as myself to stand.

 

[devon_metro]

Quite simply complain to Cross Country. You should be entitled to some kind of refund if you kick up enough fuss.

 

[Geezertronic]

Quite simply complain to Cross Country. You should be entitled to some kind of refund if you kick up enough fuss.

I doubt XC would be liable however they may pay a gratuity. Seems like the guard did the right thing when the OP eventually approached him.

 

[Ferret]

Just out of interest, did the Guard withdraw the FC passes?

 

[HSTfan!!!]

first rule of any free travel pass is that you have to give up a seat if required by fare paying passengers. I often find myself standing when travelling on my pass, but thats not a problem - a small price to pay for travelling free

 

[Old Timer]

Just out of interest, did the Guard withdraw the FC passes?

That would not constitute a valid reason to withdraw.

 

[First class]

In defence of the staff - those retired or widowed do not have to give up their seats. But we do not know who the "staff" were.

Also, not neseccarily on this service, but some priv discounted tickets end up costing MORE than a public fare.

Take Liverpool-London SOR Priv - £57.75 (valid anytime on Virgin)
Liverpool-London SVR YNG - £43 (valid anytime on Virgin)

If a staff member is paying more on that service than somebody with another non-staff discounted ticket, surely thats unfair, especially if they are told to give up their seat.

 

[Daniel]

whilst the previous occupants were kicking a fuss about now having to stand.

Even those of us with Standard class passes are required to stand if a fare paying passenger requires it.

They should not have been kicking up a fuss - they should be grateful for having a few ticket at all, yet along a first class one.

 

[Helvellyn]

If a staff member is paying more on that service than somebody with another non-staff discounted ticket, surely thats unfair, especially if they are told to give up their seat.

Unfair or not, if you're travelling on a Staff Pass, Boxes or PRIV ticket you are expected to give up your seat to full-fare paying passengers, unless retired/widowed.

Were those without seats standing in First Class? The staff might not have known there were First Class ticket holders standing otherwise. Also, in kicking up a fuss they might not necessarily have been First Class staff pass holders. Unfortunately a small number of pass seem to think just working on the railway entitles them to travel First Class.

As to compensation from XC if you couldn't get a seat, I know SWT policy is to refund the difference between the First Class and Standard Class fare for the single journey where the passenger could not get a seat (and usually you need a Customer Service voucher from the Guard as proof there were no First Class seats).

 

[yorkie]

If a staff member is paying more on that service than somebody with another non-staff discounted ticket, surely thats unfair, especially if they are told to give up their seat.

In that case, buy the cheaper ticket if you don't want to stand! :P

(I know what your reply may be, "But it isn't cheaper, because I'd have to buy a Railcard for that example to work", to which my reply is "Exactly! your choice!" )