London Northwestern Railway to Scrap First Class

[whole diary]

[Timmer]

Another operator scrapping First class accommodation from the May timetable change:
https://www.londonnorthwesternrailway.co.uk/travel-information/service-disruptions/may-timetable-change-sunday-21-may-2023

In response to changing customer demand, from Sunday 21 May 2023 we will be removing First Class on our services. Anyone holding a First Class ticket for travel dated 21 May or later – including season ticket holders - should visit a station ticket office or contact us to claim a refund.

[Mark A]

I'm surprised it took so long. I thought that they were a one-class operation like Chiltern became quite some time ago.

Mark

[Timmer]

Southern and Thameslink must surely be the next train companies to scrap first class.

I don’t think SWR^» (South Western Railway - about) will, certainly be kept on their long distance routes as First is well used on these lines.

[IndustryInsider]

John Major’s ‘classless society’ vision of the 1990s is slowly coming to fruition. 

[ellendune]

John Major’s ‘classless society’ vision of the 1990s is slowly coming to fruition. 

Only in a very narrow (railway) sense of the word. 

Though actually with the current fare structure we still really have three classes on most of the network:
1) First Class
2) Standard Class
3) Third class - can't afford to use the railway at all!

LNW are merely reducing this to 2 classes. 

[grahame]

John Major’s ‘classless society’ vision of the 1990s is slowly coming to fruition. 

It really seems to make sense (to me at least) to have a straightforward (so single class) offering on local and perhaps regional journeys.  Where journeys are substantial / long distance, there is a case for a part of the train which offers slightly wider and more comfortable seats and where you are served either light refreshments or even something more substantial during your journey.   "First Class" offering just a shave above standard in seating, with no additional services and/or no time to partake of them is probably a thing of the past.

[Electric train]

Perhaps the modern day First Class "experience" should be more than a different type of seat.  First Class service should provide inclusive in the rail fare refreshments, snacks and meal options etc.