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Travelling First Class When No First Class Fare Exists

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reb0118

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What is the current situation for a passenger who wishes to travel first class, on a service that is advertised as having first class, and indeed the train actually has first class seating BUT there is no advertised first class fares for that flow?
 
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nag67

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I had this problem some time back and the only reply that I could get from ATOC was that I had to buy split tickets for the portions of route on which First Class was available, even if it was available for the whole journey.

My example was Manchester to Derby, where 1st is available by TPE to Sheffield, and then by EMT onwards, but there is no 1st fare. I was told to buy separate tickets to/from Sheffield.

I was advised that the old rule of adding 50% to the standard open fare was no longer applicable, but this means that the 1st fare has increased by a third.

Was: SOR MAN-DBY £48, so 1st would have been £72
Now: FOR MAN-SHF £45.80 + FOR SHF-DBY £51 = Total £96.80

I was told that I would have to contact the TOC (EMT for MAN -DBY) if I wanted a 1st fare added to the database, otherwise it would not be possible to buy one.

This was also the case for many other journeys to Derby, eg from Wigan or Formby.

Why can't the missing fares be generated for the database by using the simple previous rule of 50% surcharge?

NAG
 

John @ home

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the only reply that I could get from ATOC was that I had to buy split tickets for the portions of route on which First Class was available
That advice is not much use on the XC 0737 Patchway - Filton Abbey Wood, where there are advertised First Class seats, no Firat Class fares and no intermediate stops.
 

wibble

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I was told that I would have to contact the TOC (EMT for MAN -DBY) if I wanted a 1st fare added to the database, otherwise it would not be possible to buy one.

This was also the case for many other journeys to Derby, eg from Wigan or Formby.

Why can't the missing fares be generated for the database by using the simple previous rule of 50% surcharge?

Many TOCs have moved away from "Standard Class fare x 1.5 = First Class fare" so adding a 50% premium would not apply.

It's possible that, in the past, few (or no) trains on this route offered First Class accommodation so no First Class fare existed. I can imagine it's very difficult to keep on top of all the various anomolies that exist in the fares system, but if you ask EMT to add a First Class fare, I'm sure they'll look into it. The earliest they're likely to get it in is either 5 September or 2 January 2011.
 

OwlMan

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Of coure there is the opposite - when first class fares are offered but no first class travel is possible

e.g. Bedworth - Coventry (hourly service run by "dogbox")

FDR £*****8.40******LMR
FDS £*****4.20******LMR
SDR £*****3.40******LMR
SDS £*****2.90******LMR

Why are there first class fares?

Peter
 

wibble

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Of coure there is the opposite - when first class fares are offered but no first class travel is possible

e.g. Bedworth - Coventry (hourly service run by "dogbox")

FDR £*****8.40******LMR
FDS £*****4.20******LMR
SDR £*****3.40******LMR
SDS £*****2.90******LMR

Why are there first class fares?

Peter

Because London Midland are too lazy to remove the fare?? :lol:
But you're right, they shouldn't be in there. Where a journey exists with First Class accommodation, a First Class fare should be offered.
 

Greenback

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Because London Midland are too lazy to remove the fare?? :lol:
But you're right, they shouldn't be in there. Where a journey exists with First Class accommodation, a First Class fare should be offered.

Unless it;s been declassified, like Inverness - Kyle, for example, where we enjoyed a first class day trip last year!
 
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