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Title: 150% increase in may Post by: super tm on April 20, 2009, 20:11:18 One ticket will be going up 150% in May. :o
I wont tell you which one yet but throw over to you to see if you can work out which one. It is a fairly well known one. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Zoe on April 20, 2009, 20:22:23 Is it a season?
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: grahame on April 20, 2009, 20:48:45 One ticket will be going up 150% in May. :o I wont tell you which one yet but throw over to you to see if you can work out which one. It is a fairly well known one. Single, Swindon to Salisbury valid "any route" and the only 'buy on the day' that's valid on the 06:15 direct train? Up from 50 pounds to 75 pounds? Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: inspector_blakey on April 20, 2009, 20:58:17 That's a 50% increase, not 150% ;)
So we're looking for a fare that's more than doubling (in fact going up 2 and a half times). Is it a very low value fare, going up from ^1.00 to ^2.50 perhaps? Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 20, 2009, 20:58:45 Weekend First
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: inspector_blakey on April 20, 2009, 21:04:55 Does that mean that there's a "tiered" system being introduced, and whereas previously you could travel from PAD - PNZ (or PMD) for a ^10 upgrade the damage is now ^25 for the longest journeys?
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 20, 2009, 21:07:54 Yes. London - Bedwyn ^5 rising to the highest tier. However, I'm not sure if it ^15 or ^25!
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 20, 2009, 21:37:19 Browsing through the inbox:
London to Bedwyn or Oxford ^5 London to Worcester, chippenham or Westbury ^10 London to Bristol, Cardiff or Taunton ^15 London to Plymouth or Swansea ^20 London to further ^25 Not sure how it's going to work for intermediate journeys not starting in London. Worth noting a break of journey is allowed and full First class facilities will be open to the holder. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: super tm on April 21, 2009, 12:15:50 Yes correct old weekend first ^10 new weekend first to penzance now ^25.
I suppose it was time for an increase but 150% seems a bit steep at one go. Also i dont fancy being a TM working the west of england services for the first couple of weeks. FGW really should put lots of publicity out about this so passengers can decide if they want to pay the higher rate. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Ollie on April 21, 2009, 12:46:22 As FGW have described this as a relaunch of weekend first I can only assume the associated publicity will come with it.
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: inspector_blakey on April 21, 2009, 12:48:51 How does this constitute a "re-launch"? At the moment the only difference between Weekend First and full FC is that WF are limited in the number of complimentaries they can collect from the buffet.
Does this herald the introduction of a trolley service in FC on weekends or does it just mean that WF ticket holders will be able to order as many drinks and biscuits as they like once again? On another note, let's hope for the sake of on-board staff that the new weekend first offering isn't spun as "from ^5" which would no doubt result in grief for train managers when they had to charge ^25 for an upgrade! Will the upgrade also still be available to standard class advance ticket holders? To their great credit FGW is one of the only intercity companies that still offers weekend first if you're travelling on an advance ticket. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: eightf48544 on April 21, 2009, 15:03:58 Presumably the TOCS are taking their cue from Ryanair.
Upgrades from ^5 but when you look it's ^25. At least wirth Ryanair you know fares from ^1 means you pay at least ^50 by the time they charge you for having a suitcase, taxes, checkin etc. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: smithy on April 21, 2009, 15:11:47 Presumably the TOCS are taking their cue from Ryanair. Upgrades from ^5 but when you look it's ^25. At least wirth Ryanair you know fares from ^1 means you pay at least ^50 by the time they charge you for having a suitcase, taxes, checkin etc. in that case maybe they will try and charge to use the toilets,coin operated doors maybe? or even charge a ^20 fee if pax want to take a bag/suitecase with them. dont get me started on the ^50 booking fee for anything other than electron cards. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: grahame on April 21, 2009, 16:03:23 ... or even charge a ^20 fee if pax want to take a bag/suitecase with them ... how about a second seat charge for passengers who's coats, handbags and rucksacks also need a seat, even when people are standing .... Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Timmer on April 21, 2009, 18:13:47 Yes correct old weekend first ^10 new weekend first to penzance now ^25. Yes FGW have kept it at ^10 for a very long time but an increase to ^25 on services to Cornwall may be a quite a bit over what people are prepared to pay but I can only assume FGW have done their homework on this otherwise they wouldn't have decided on such a large increase?I suppose it was time for an increase but 150% seems a bit steep at one go. Also i dont fancy being a TM working the west of england services for the first couple of weeks. FGW really should put lots of publicity out about this so passengers can decide if they want to pay the higher rate. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: smithy on April 21, 2009, 18:32:44 ... or even charge a ^20 fee if pax want to take a bag/suitecase with them ... how about a second seat charge for passengers who's coats, handbags and rucksacks also need a seat, even when people are standing .... that would be a good idea to stop the selfish minority Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: moonrakerz on April 21, 2009, 18:41:22 how about a second seat charge for passengers who's coats, handbags and rucksacks also need a seat, even when people are standing .... Posted without comment ! http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/news/companies/united_airlines_obese.reut/index.htm Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 21, 2009, 18:58:28 For journies outside of London I would asume that you pay per each zone you pass through:
Newton Abbot - Penzance would be ^10 (as a zone ends at Plymouth) but Plymouth - Penzance would be ^5 Any clarification perhaps? Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: smithy on April 21, 2009, 20:22:25 how about a second seat charge for passengers who's coats, handbags and rucksacks also need a seat, even when people are standing .... Posted without comment ! http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/news/companies/united_airlines_obese.reut/index.htm fair comment in my opinion,why should other passengers have to suffer sitting next to a passenger who invades their seat not to mention the extra fuel and ground staff work required to balance the aircraft out. dont take my comments as being anti obese it is up to them to be that way but all i am saying is other people should not suffer because of it. back to the trains i doubt any toc would dare try anything like that but there should be some sort of deterant for people who take up more than 1 seat with bags etc or who insist on putting feet on the seats. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on April 23, 2009, 09:17:28 there may soon be a class 150 percentage pasenger capacity increase at Exeter soon just noticed a three car 150/0 there
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: thetrout on April 23, 2009, 11:10:46 how about a second seat charge for passengers who's coats, handbags and rucksacks also need a seat, even when people are standing .... Posted without comment ! http://money.cnn.com/2009/04/15/news/companies/united_airlines_obese.reut/index.htm fair comment in my opinion,why should other passengers have to suffer sitting next to a passenger who invades their seat not to mention the extra fuel and ground staff work required to balance the aircraft out. dont take my comments as being anti obese it is up to them to be that way but all i am saying is other people should not suffer because of it. back to the trains i doubt any toc would dare try anything like that but there should be some sort of deterant for people who take up more than 1 seat with bags etc or who insist on putting feet on the seats. I agree with you to a certain extent, If i'm on train that's not busy, I will put my bag on the seat next to me, but will happily move it should the train fill up or somebody have the seat reserved. The times I do that though are indeed rare as I normally sit in the vestibule fold down seats, out of everyones way on local services ;D In FC the routes I travel, I normally take trains that are not busy as I do like my personal space, but I don't have a problem with someone joining my table/seat next to me (Unless there are lots of empty seats and tables... ::) ) I will admit to being one of those passengers that insists on an aisle seat, Because I cannot sit in a window seat without having a panic attack...! Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 23, 2009, 17:59:45 just noticed a three car 150/0 there In which case you were seeing things! Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on April 23, 2009, 18:05:47 just noticed a three car 150/0 there In which case you were seeing things! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/3468842388/) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3468842388_8ee19b717f.jpg?v=0) Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 23, 2009, 18:11:38 Yeh, its either of FGWs two 150/1s, both of which are 2 coaches.
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on April 23, 2009, 18:15:09 Yeh, its either of FGWs two 150/1s, both of which are 2 coaches. fair enough.. i couldnt see the back and i dont know fgw fleet allocations i didnt realise that there were 2 car ones down here thanks for the info mate Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: miniman on April 23, 2009, 19:39:34 Leaving a bag on the seat next to you to stop someone else sitting there is futile.
The correct approach is thus: 1. Make eye contact with person eyeing up the empty seat 2. Lick lips 3. Look at empty seat 4. Lick lips again 5. Rub hand on empty seat whilst staring at person It's guaranteed, I tell you :D Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: vacman on April 24, 2009, 11:20:19 Leaving a bag on the seat next to you to stop someone else sitting there is futile. until the other person does exactly the same then sits on your lap! OK if it's a nice blonde around 2o years old.....but not OK if it's a Dot cotton lookalike :D :D :DThe correct approach is thus: 1. Make eye contact with person eyeing up the empty seat 2. Lick lips 3. Look at empty seat 4. Lick lips again 5. Rub hand on empty seat whilst staring at person It's guaranteed, I tell you :D Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Zoe on April 24, 2009, 14:06:21 The best idea is just go for the single seat in coach A.
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Btline on April 24, 2009, 18:48:51 just noticed a three car 150/0 there In which case you were seeing things! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/3468842388/) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3468842388_8ee19b717f.jpg?v=0) You do realise that the picture shows Class 153 units, which are single car units. Although they have been known to run in threes! LM had such a diagram, but had to change it, as it could not keep to the timetable! (153s have poor acceleration) Anyway, I don't think FGW have any 3 car 150s. Unless I am mistaken, LM have them all. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: smithy on April 25, 2009, 13:34:51 just noticed a three car 150/0 there In which case you were seeing things! (http://www.flickr.com/photos/relex109/3468842388/) (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3468842388_8ee19b717f.jpg?v=0) You do realise that the picture shows Class 153 units, which are single car units. Although they have been known to run in threes! LM had such a diagram, but had to change it, as it could not keep to the timetable! (153s have poor acceleration) Anyway, I don't think FGW have any 3 car 150s. Unless I am mistaken, LM have them all. i think he is on about the 150/1 that is just visible inside the shed.FGW are due to get them sometime next year i believe Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: 6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01 on April 25, 2009, 15:18:43 yes thankyou smithy i was refering to the unit to the left in the shed next to the 143
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Btline on April 25, 2009, 18:18:31 Gets magnifying glass out
I can only see 150/0 in the shed - the 150/1 has a corridor connexion. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on April 25, 2009, 18:31:08 No, it doesn't....
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: smithy on April 25, 2009, 20:06:22 Gets magnifying glass out I can only see 150/0 in the shed - the 150/1 has a corridor connexion. incorrect 150/0 and 150/1 do not have gangways only 150/2 had them. main difference between 150/0 and 150/1 front ends is stroke 0 had power crew doors like stroke 2 where as stroke 1 had slam doors. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Btline on April 25, 2009, 20:17:58 Ah, I got confused - I forgot there were three batches! :-X
Talking of 150s, the prototypes are still going strong; (normally seem better than the others!) I travel on the two from time to time! Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Sleepy on April 28, 2009, 09:33:52 >:( I find it quite amazing that they have chosen to push through such a large increase on a ticket which is aimed at impulse purchase when all rail companies are noticing a reduction in leisure trips. Do others in the know have any knowledge of the reasoning behind this ? Perhaps FGW are planning to increase the quota of First Advance tickets at weekends ?
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Timmer on May 16, 2009, 06:32:01 Details from FGW regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May:
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3973 Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: IndustryInsider on May 16, 2009, 12:52:49 Details from FGW regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May: Not a bad idea to charge based on length of journey I suppose, but it presents the usual inconsistencies that zones always throw up. Oxford to Hanborough (7 miles) will cost a tenner whereas, on the same train, Honeybourne to Hereford (48 miles) would only be a fiver. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on May 16, 2009, 14:08:07 Plymouth - Taunton for ^5 is a bargain. 82m63c
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Ollie on May 16, 2009, 18:21:45 Details from FGW regards changes to Weekend First that start from 17th of May: Not a bad idea to charge based on length of journey I suppose, but it presents the usual inconsistencies that zones always throw up. Oxford to Hanborough (7 miles) will cost a tenner whereas, on the same train, Honeybourne to Hereford (48 miles) would only be a fiver. Such as Oxford - Hanborough FCR (First Off Peak Day Return) is currently -not taking into account tomorrows fare change: ^5.20 compared to ^2.50 for a CDR (Standard Off Peak Day Return) Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: thetrout on May 16, 2009, 18:46:01 Even some longer distance journey's are cheaper to by a walkup ticket...!
Example - Taunton - Bristol is ^16.50 for an Off Peak Standard Period Return, A First Class Off Peak Period Return will set you back ^28.00 Now assuming you travel XC, It will cost ^15.00 Each way to upgrade! So purchasing a walkup ticket compared to the weekend first upgrades DOES sometimes make sense :) Also breaking the Journey at Plymouth when travelling into Cornwall can make First Class Tickets considerably cheaper! Another trap I discovered about 4 years ago when travelling to Yatton from Cornwall to watch out for is this one: Liskeard - Yatton, Will set you back ^156.00 for a First Class Off Peak Return... However, Liskeard - Bristol Temple Meads will set you back ^142.00 :o For those not familiar with Yatton and Bristol...! They are on the Main Line from Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads... Yatton is 2 stops before Bristol Temple Meads...! So if you make that Journey, I would recommend buying the Bristol Ticket, Change on the Bristol Temple Meads or Cardiff Central at Taunton, and break the journey at Yatton *edit* Wording Error Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: inspector_blakey on May 20, 2009, 13:22:36 Dragging this back round to the original topic of the new Weekend First system, the zonal map is now available at
http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3973 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=3973) OK prices for longer journeys have increased, but it still strikes me as pretty good value for money. FGW also deserve credit for keeping Weekend First available to Advance ticket holders, which is becoming increasingly unusual amongst the intercity TOCs. As far as I can tell, given that the website now says that the full range of complimentary items is available to WF ticket holders, that means there won't be the previous limit of 3 items per person. Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 21, 2009, 21:03:42 From the Bristol Evening Post:
Quote MPs condemn rail operators over online fare discounts MPs have condemned rail operators for making discounted advanced fares easier for internet users to buy than for other passengers. The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee says it is "unacceptable" that the best deals are most readily available online as it "undermines the whole basis of the railways as a public service available to all". Rail operators disagreed with the report, saying cheap online fares could also be obtained by phone or at a station. But the MPs said people who had to travel at short notice were being excluded by the higher prices charged on the day of travel. Bristol is no exception to the rule that states people who buy train fares on the day of travel or even the day before are effectively penalised by having to pay more. Passengers who book an off-peak fare from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington a week in advance would pay ^27 for a return. But if that same ticket was bought for travel on the day or for the next day it would cost nearly ^20 more, at ^45.50. Shorter journeys don't suffer the same gulf in pricing though. An off-peak return to Bath, for example, would cost ^5.90 whether it was for travel on the day or two weeks' time. For the full article, see http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/homepage/MPs-condemn-rail-operators-online-fare-discounts/article-1006301-detail/article.html Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: devon_metro on May 21, 2009, 21:19:23 I wonder how money would be needed to lower fares. A few mortgages perhaps?
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: vacman on May 21, 2009, 23:06:35 I don't think ^45.00 for an Off-peak return from Bristol to Padd is that unreasonable to be honest?
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Chris from Nailsea on May 21, 2009, 23:13:37 Compared with ^153 for a peak fare return? No - and that's perhaps another example of the disproportionate difference between peak and off-peak fares? ::)
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: thetrout on May 21, 2009, 23:20:55 I have another one...! :-\
Taunton - Frome First Class Off Peak Day Return with Disabled Adult Railcard = ^13.05 Taunton - Frome First Class Anytime Day Return With Disabled Adult Railcard = ^26.65 Doesn't sound alot at first. But I could take another person with me on the 09:19 and still have 55p left to spend, which means it's more than double the off peak fare. Whats more is that the 09:19 Service is much busier in FC as it's the First Off Peak Service of the day... on the 07:08 I can have an entire FC carriage to myself ;D Another slightly silly thing is, is that a First Class Anytime Single with Disabled Adult Railcard = ^13.35 Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Zoe on May 22, 2009, 05:47:58 I find ^40 for an off peak return from Swindon to London a bit on the expensive side for a 1 hour journey though. This is not that type of journey I would expect to have to book an advance to travel at an affordable price.
Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Btline on May 22, 2009, 16:37:31 I find ^40 for an off peak return from Swindon to London a bit on the expensive side for a 1 hour journey though. This is not that type of journey I would expect to have to book an advance to travel at an affordable price. Exacty, these "turn up and go" routes, like Swindon to Padd, B'ham/Manc Pic - Euston should be cheap at the station, if you are travelling well off peak. ^40 is extortionate! Title: Re: 150% increase in may Post by: Tim on May 22, 2009, 17:02:38 I don't think ^45.00 for an Off-peak return from Bristol to Padd is that unreasonable to be honest? Neither do I. The fare is about right and compared with some TOCS the restrictions are not unreasonable either. Its the open returns that are indefensible and nothing but profiteering. the argument that they are neccessary to keep down crowdingis of course undermined by the fact that seasons don't have the peak/off peak differential and peak time trains are filled with commuters on cheap seasons. This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |