Great Western Coffee Shop

I was looking at March fares between Birmingham and Durham (Cross Country) and was shocked at what I found.

At worst, First Class advance fares were ^2 more. But most trains had First fares for ^2 cheaper! :o

Has anyone else found this? I don't understand it.... ???

Not complaining though! ;D

I've seen this before.

I booked 2 days before going to Newcastle from Bristol Temple Meads.

There were no advance standard tickets available, just the standard open singles (before the fares shake up)

The Advance First Class was available at ^20 ish
The Standard Open Single was ^60 ish

Had the same thing with the return, no advanced standard available. ended up with a First Class return for ^40 ish compared to the standard open return of around ^100

absolute bargin when considering the journey is 5+ Hours, I would have paid for the First Class anyway even if the advanced standard tickets had been available and cheaper... ;D

Ah - but in my case, the Standard Advance ticket was more expensive!

This does happen from time to time.  There is a quota for each ticket type and if the cheapest standard class fares are all sold out then it is possible that there is a first class fare available cheaper than the cheapest available standard.

Some people dont realise.  They just buy the cheapest ticket they can find and then go and sit in standard.  They then get a bit embarrased when told of their mistake.  When they findout about the free refreshments they usually move though  ;D

Not on SWT sadly, I paid ^21.10 for a First Class return from Warminster to Waterloo last week - absolute bargain.
I suppose I could go from Westbury for ^31-70, plus a couple of quid for the car park and get free coffee & bikkies - on second thoughts, I don't think so !

I've returned to Bristol before in First Class on advance tickets cheaper than walk up standard class. Then got half the ticket price refunded as they didn't bother providing any hot food. Its amazing what you can get if you complain!

When I go First Class next month I'll defiantly complain if they don't serve me food!

Thanks for the advice Dm. :)

By the way, is there a time when the stewards stop the First Class service?

Yes there is... Between Bristol & London Paddington, the trolley usually comes through just before Chippenham.

But the at seat service stops at 19:00. However, free complimentaries are available from the buffet car ;D

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=60

Above link should tell you everything you need to know ;D

Often a bit later on trains coming out of London. The 1930 to Weston had at seat service today.

First class hosts are not happy, and neither are passengers. From this week the range of nibbles has been reduced, and one shelf of the trolley replaced by paid for items. So the hosts are getting grief from passengers paying up to ^9k a year for a ticket, who are finding that the already minimal refreshments have been cut back further. Moreover, they can't just pop back to the kitchen to replace the urn in case any of the passengers nick a mars bar. So they have to wheel it all the way down to the front (back) of the train and secure it.

I'm sure the savings will make all the difference to the economics of the franchise though.

Sorry, I meant on CrossCountry.

Next month I am travelling in First Class for the first time ever, but my return journey is in the evening.

Interesting about the FGW service. I looked on XC website, and it looks like I'll be getting a meal (+free non alcoholic drinks) ! :)

And I never knew railcards gave First Class discounts! ;D

If you are travelling north of Bristol that should be ok. Sadly for XC, they had specifically told me in writing that I would get a hot meal at seat on board. I didn't so they coughed up  :D

:P ;D :D
So would you recommend that I email XC with details of my journey now, so I can use it as ammunition should they not serve food?

It is B'ham to Durham and back.

You should be fine on that route as there is a First Class host.

Is there no host south of Bristol? >:(

There is, but only on a limited number of trains.

Even then, you rarely get hot food. I travelled with XC 4 times last week on the 18:44 or the 19:44 from Bristol Temple Meads to Taunton. On all occasions, they could only offer me a shortbread biscuit. The hot food which they sometimes offer for you to take back to your seat, wasn't available, and on 2 occasions I couldn't even have a hot drink. To say I was midly annoyed would be an understatement.

I have considered writing to them about it but it's more hassle than it's worth. Would be easier not to travel with them. But there is only a very small amount of fast trains that go between Bristol and Taunton, non of which leave when I need to, so I guess I'm stuck with it  >:(

Bristol Temple Meads - Newton Abbot is very popular in First Class in evenings (Friday in particular), when I happened to travel it was full until Newton Abbot where it emptied completely. It seems outrageous that there is no First Class when the trains are so packed in First. At the same time, Standard class is always rammed so getting to the shop is a nightmare.

Its always worth complaining regardless. They compensated me, admittedly both directions lacked hot food.

You can comment by e-mail - details are at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=443 - and FGW say,

"We will answer all written comments from customers within 5 working days of receiving them. If it takes longer to make the necessary enquiries we will send you an initial acknowledgement within 5 working days and a full reply within 20 working days."

Thanks for the link Chris ;D My I apologise for lacking to state that my complaint would be made to XC... ;) But Thanks anyway ;D


Definately!!

Also, Without sounding like a snob (because i'm not ;) ) First Class on XC on Sunday Evenings around Bristol at times is an absolute nightmare. They run a 4 Car unit and it is normally full and standing, so Standard Passengers go into First and nick all the remaining seats. Consquently when I get on with a First Class ticket, the TM has to remove a Standard Ticket Holder so I can sit down, which nearly always attracts arguements and nasty looks... :P Whilst I feel sorry for the person who get moved because they have no where to sit, you could argue that I have paid for First Class and they haven't... (Again not meaning to sound like a snob!) ;D

I don't think that sounds like a snob. You have paid for a first class ticket, and you are entitled to it, subject to there not being more first class passengers than seats. Those who haven't paid for first class are not entitled to sit in first, whether or not standard class is rammed.

I can't imagine why anyone sitting in first with a standard ticket would argue when asked to vacate their seat for a first class ticket holder.
   

You're welcome, thetrout - and I'm a chump for missing that point! ::) :D

However, the same option of complaining on-line applies for CrossCountry: see http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/Customer_service/Comments.aspx

And they say, "We^ll respond to you in full within 10 working days, but if we can^t give you our full answer within this time, we^ll send you an acknowledgement and let you know when you should expect to hear more from us."

I think you will find that the seat "is subject to availability" too  !

Well in theory you are correct. But the point I was making (without sounding like a snob ;) ) that if Standard class is full and standing, so Standard Class Ticket Holders take up the remain First Class seats. I think I have a right to be mildly annoyed that I can't sit down because all the seats are taken by people who haven't paid for First Class, yet are still sitting in the seats!

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/3260998234/)

the southwest always seems to draw the short straw for catering

perhaps its presumed that we dont eat or drink

Don't forget north of Edinburgh (also several hours)!

I can understand why XC stop catering at the extremities of their network - it would pose problems for staff needing to get back to other depots, waste of resources, expensive taxis etc.

There is a solution - have FGW 'West' staff run the XC catering west of Plymouth. Ditto for Scotrail north of Edinburgh.

(I know, not going to happen)

Of course, if the network was nationalised....

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If I get on a XC train at around 6.30 pm - will their be a host?

Should be. But this is XC we are talking about... ;)

I can understand west of Plymouth, but south of Bristol is fairly shoddy. I'd expect at least a host as far as Exeter! There is enough time in the schedules to allow a FC Host a 40 minute "layover" at St Davids

I agree, it is shoddy.

But I still think that catering should be "nationalised" ; so a service is provided on all InterCity trains in all regions, thus making staffing it a lot more economic, as they only do "their region."

Agreed, Nationalising would be a very good idea. But what I can't understand is that Cardiff - Portsmouth a cup of tea costs ^1.40, yet on any HST service it costs ^1.50 ???

Also what would be nice is to have a restaurant on the XC Route. Can you imagine going from Plymouth - Aberdeen on just a Sandwich??

Long Distance Operators: NXEC, NXEA (Possibly To Be Withdrawn), FGW, Virgin (1st Class Passengers Only), GC, WSMR (Currently 1st Class Passengers Only) & EMT All offer restaurants onboard. You'd think there would be demand for an XC Restaurant Service.

Different Kettle of Fish but what about an XC Sleeper. Go to bed in Plymouth, Wake up in Glasgow...? I'd be attracted to that ;D