Can I do anything about this......(not) declassifying first class

[whole diary]

[Mookiemoo]

Got the 1630 fro Bristol today - I know it's a busy train so....

When I paid my fare and upgrade - not a problem.

When they tm explained to an interloper first would only be declassified if first was full and standing - ok

So why, after chippenham, when there were no ticket checks, no nothing and when one of the THREE train managers appeared in G I asked had first class been declassified and he said no not yet.  So I was like , so how do I get my 15 back - apparently I don't.  So I said - but if you've not come through doing tickets since bath how is everyone else sitting here crowding out space going to pay - I got the response, you try getting through the vestibules.

So they took money from those of us at Bristol and bath and then we suffered overcrowding due to people getting a free ride and can not get out 15 back

[Mookiemoo]

Made worse when on arrival to pad I asked two of the tms if it was going to be declassified - got told no. So I explained my issue. Ghent hot told " but you got a cheap ticket from Bristol to chippenham so nothing to complain about"

Sometimes fgw don't help themselves

[old original]

Usual "tell us your views" form to customer services is probably your best bet, You might get something back

[ChrisB]

YOu *should* get something back!

Please report here if you don't & I'll take it up via the Customer Panel.

Please tell us more about this declassification of First Class - is it usual on that train / on Sundays?

[Mookiemoo]

The 1630 from Bristol is notoriously busy - yesterday had 300 reservations before any walk ons.  The prior service to London is 1530 - which is busy enough - but the 1630 is the first train post the shops shutting and is normall a 2+7.

I've got it five times and I can report....

On one occasion first class was enforced resulting in almost a riot in the sardine can that standard was

On two occasions the tm didn't charge the money because he knew later in the journey he wouldn't be able to get through the vestibules - whether that was official declassification or not I don't know

And on two occasions - including yesterday- they charged where they could and gave up later

It's normal to have two train managers on that train - yesterday was the first time I've seen three - so that should tell you something

[IndustryInsider]

Sunday afternoon/early evening hell again.  Another standard class vehicle on the 2+7's would go some way towards providing extra capacity.  Or perhaps a 10-car Adelante?!

[Timmer]

This overcrowding problem on the 15.30 and 16.30 will soon be sorted with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) running an extra Sunday train at 16.00 from Bristol TM^‡(resolve) to Padd when the winter timetable starts 12th of December.

[JayMac]

According to Journey Planners there is already a 1600 service from BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) to PAD^» (Paddington (London) - next trains). I've checked Sundays throughout November, and it's there and bookable.

If it ran yesterday then it failed in its job to ease the overcrowding on Mookie's train.

[Mookiemoo]

Er - nope

Or maybe its a ghost train....

There is one from parkway I believe

[Brucey]

Even appears in the FGW^▸ (First Great Western)/Trainline booking system with advance fares available.

[Mookiemoo]

I have no comment - I just know there is not a 1600 - which is why I had to spend an hour in bath last week when the 1530 had no buffet and only two working toilets and there was a riot before we got to bath over lack of facilities - and I had to wait in Bath an hour for the next one

Unless it leaves bristol then miraculously appears beyond bath

[Brucey]

According to NRE^‡(resolve), it departs Bath at 1613.  Most likely an error in the booking system...

[JayMac]

Just confirmed with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) that there was no 1600 yesterday, but there is, according to all systems, a 1600 from next Sunday onward.

A bit strange of FGW to introduce a new service and not advertise it. I also double checked that it isn't just running during the next few Sundays while there is engineering between Swindon and Didcot. It continues to run up until the timetable change.

And as ChrisB said, from Dec 12th as well.

[Timmer]

Just confirmed with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) that there was no 1600 yesterday, but there is, according to all systems, a 1600 from next Sunday onward.

Engineering work for the rest of November. Sunday Swansea services also call at Bristol and Bath then diverted via Berks and Hants.

[IndustryInsider]

Just confirmed with FGW^▸ (First Great Western) that there was no 1600 yesterday, but there is, according to all systems, a 1600 from next Sunday onward.

Good news.  A route that desperately needs more Sunday afternoon capacity.  Now, we just need an extra train or two from Cardiff and Plymouth and Oxford as well...