Great Western Coffee Shop

I won't list the journey I want to make, as this applies in several cases. However the anomaly does seem to affect the Bristol Temple Meads - London Paddington line in particular.

What I would like to know, is if there is anyone I *could* speak to regarding the decisions of fares offered on certain routes. I do not want to have a general moan about the pricing of the fares. Whilst there is an element of this, the actual issue it's self is with the different types of ticket available which significantly differ between Standard and First Class.

All prices quoted will include a Disabled Railcard discount.

Take Bedminster - Swindon as an example:

Standard Off Peak Day Return (CDR) = ^9.40
Standard Off Peak Return (SVR) = ^11.30
First Off Peak Return (FVS) = ^31.00

So to go there an back on the same day is cheaper than coming back the next day in Standard Class. Why is there no First Off Peak Day Return?? (FCR) >:(

I've probably made this rant before. But that price for the period return makes the idea of using First Class to make the journey in the same day very unattractive. Assuming there was an FCR available at double the CDR so ^18.40, maybe even rounded up to ^19.00 for arguments sake then I would almost certainly use First Class.

Now look at Bath Spa - Basingstoke:

CDR: ^14.45
SVR: ^19.35
FCR: ^23.85

So for slightly less than double the CDR on that route. I can have a FCR at a sensible price. Perfect.

Now I know the pricing on these two examples are set by different TOCs. However the same examples can be found against the Frome - Taunton which is also set by FGW, were you have: CDR, SVR, FCR and FVS.

Would you suggest anyone I can mention these ideas too, as FGW are putting themselves out of pocket in my opinion as I am not making journeys based on only having the FVS available and instead using split tickets, Advance tickets or in extreme cases, other transport methods.

I expect the accountant look at it like this:

"Let's try fare differentials over second of 10, 20, 30, 40 or 50 pounds ... and estimate you'll get 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1 travellers going first class if you do.   So the train company takes an extra 50, 80, 90, 80 or 50 pounds.   Right - we'll set the extra fare at 30 pounds.   For sure, we'll only carry 3 people rather than 5 on that fare, but we make most money that way"  ... balance point arithementic and, sorry MrTrout, in this case you're one of the two who has been dis-suaded to go first because of the markup.

I expect the logic and sums are different for each journey, and you should proabbly note that the typical first class passenger probably has different metrics to the typical standard passenger.  I recall a certain member commenting that people are surprised to find that he does have a first class ticket because he looks so young.   And I wish I still had his young looks!

Note that all these fares are priced by South West Trains and are Route Warminster and Salisbury, did you intend to use these fares?

I wonder if that fact that the majority of journeys over this route would not have first class all the way is taken in to account?