First Class CHEAPER than Second Class!

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

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^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) 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 

[devon_metro]

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.

[devon_metro]

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

[Chris from Nailsea]

I have considered writing to them about it but it's more hassle than it's worth.

You can comment by e-mail - details are at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=443 - and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 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."

[thetrout]

I have considered writing to them about it but it's more hassle than it's worth.

You can comment by e-mail - details are at http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=443 - and FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 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 My I apologise for lacking to state that my complaint would be made to XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))... But Thanks anyway

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.

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^‡(resolve) has to remove a Standard Ticket Holder so I can sit down, which nearly always attracts arguements and nasty looks... 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!)

[John R]

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.
   

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thanks for the link Chris My I apologise for lacking to state that my complaint would be made to XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise))... But Thanks anyway

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

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."

[moonrakerz]

I was always of the understanding that the First Class was paid for the seat in a certain part of the train, and refreshments were only offered "subject to availability".
 
Doubtless some expert here will be able to direct me to the relevant section of the Terms and Conditions to improve my knowledge.

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

[thetrout]

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!

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

Is there no host south of Bristol?

the southwest always seems to draw the short straw for catering

perhaps its presumed that we dont eat or drink

[Btline]

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

I can understand why XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) 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^▸ (First Great Western) '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?

[thetrout]

If I get on a XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) train at around 6.30 pm - will their be a host?

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

[devon_metro]

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

I can understand why XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) 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^▸ (First Great Western) '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?

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^‡(resolve) Host a 40 minute "layover" at St Davids

[Btline]

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."

[thetrout]

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^▸ (High Speed Train) service it costs ^1.50

Also what would be nice is to have a restaurant on the XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Route. Can you imagine going from Plymouth - Aberdeen on just a Sandwich??

Long Distance Operators: NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast), NXEA^▸ (National Express East Anglia) (Possibly To Be Withdrawn), FGW^▸ (First Great Western), Virgin (1st Class Passengers Only), GC^» (Great Central Railway - link to heritage line), WSMR^▸ (Wrexham, Shropshire and Marylebone Railway) (Currently 1st Class Passengers Only) & EMT^» (East Midlands Trains - about) 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