Peak Advance Tickets Withdrawn... Is the recession biting FGW??

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

I used to be able to book an Advanced First Class fare from Taunton - Bristol Temple Meads on the 07:15 for ^3.30 (including DSB RC Discount)

I attempted to buy the above ticket today only to find it wasn't available...! So I checked the week after, also not available.

I'm wondering whether FGW^▸ (First Great Western) have withdrawn this because they are making very little if any money at all on these fares...??

It's there loss though, Because I will buy the walkup FC^‡(resolve) fare and travel on the much faster XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service where hot food is usually served complimentary at seat

What are your thoughts on this?? Could the era of cheap rail travel be coming to an end...?!

Whilst I'm slightly annoyed that it's no longer available, I can't complain if i'm paying so little. I'm prepared to pay the walk up fare. I don't see the point though in paying the walkup fare when there is was a cheaper alternative, yet still recieving an identical service!

[Phil]

Not really surprised it's not offered on that service, given that it's at peak time.

I see NXEC^▸ (National Express East Coast) are quoting a fiver though for a First Class ticket from Taunton to Temple Meads on the 09:05, which sounds like a bargain to me. Then again my usual route is Chippenam - Paddington (also First Class), well known as being one of the most expensive lines around, so anything under ^150 looks like a bargain to me 

First Advance Single - ^5
Origin:Taunton, 09:05
Destination:Bristol Temple Meads, 09:59
Date:Tue 7 Apr 2009 Changes:0 Duration:0:54hrs
Valid only on your chosen service. Not refundable. Changeable prior to date of travel for a fee.

(Note I haven't applied DSB RB discount to that as I confess I don't know what it means)

[devon_metro]

You mention hot food on a Voyager, when I travelled a few months ago there was no hot food south of Bristol (as there is only a shop or trolley, the latter will definitely NOT serve hot food!) The First Class trolleys seemingly boarding at Bristol. (however I got ^15 in compensation as they had foolishly assured me I would receive it  )

[Btline]

You mention hot food on a Voyager, when I travelled a few months ago there was no hot food south of Bristol (as there is only a shop or trolley, the latter will definitely NOT serve hot food!) The First Class trolleys seemingly boarding at Bristol. (however I got ^15 in compensation as they had foolishly assured me I would receive it  )

The hot food is nothing special. (in quantity) You can see the hot food "menu" in their website. (but not on the trains..... )

[devon_metro]

That was what made it worse, the menu was on my table. 

[John R]

It's there loss though, Because I will buy the walkup FC^‡(resolve) fare and travel on the much faster XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service where hot food is usually served complimentary at seat

It may not be their loss. Under Orcats FGW^▸ (First Great Western) will get a reasonable percentage of any operator tickets between Taunton and Bristol. Just because you travel on XC doesn't mean they'll pick up all the revenue. And if you buy it at the ticket office they will also get the 9% allocated to the seller.

^3.30 (or even ^5 without a rc) does appear to be underpricing for what is a rush hour arrival into BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains).

[grahame]

As I understand it from a "usually reliable source" ... we can expect the lower priced fares that we have seen in recent years to become less available, especially on busy services, and as loadings grow (that growth is a bit of an assumption at the moment, mind).  The logic is that those fares are to attract extra business and fill places / seats that would otherwise be empty.  As loadings grow, there are fewer such seats.  And is people will pay more, then I'm sure FGW^▸ (First Great Western) would like them to.    Better to sell 10 tickets at 20 pounds than 20 tickets at 8 pounds.  Not only more money, but less wear and tear, less crowded trains for the remaining people to grumble about being overcrowded, and space for expansion by selling more 20 pound tickets.

Franchise payments to government (TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company) volunteered train tax!) are stepping upwards year on year; to meet the commitment that FGW made they have to take in more money in ways like this.   I don't think it's the recession - I think it was always in the plan.

[thetrout]

Not really surprised it's not offered on that service, given that it's at peak time.

Thats the thing, It's been available on that service for the past 8 months, only recently has it been discontinued.

As John R says it is a peak service into Bristol, but to be honest, You'd have a job filling half a First Class Carriage between Taunton > Bristol even though it calls at all stations except Parson Street and Bedminster!

(Note I haven't applied DSB RB discount to that as I confess I don't know what it means)

Sorry that was an acronym for disabled railcard...

You mention hot food on a Voyager, when I travelled a few months ago there was no hot food south of Bristol (as there is only a shop or trolley, the latter will definitely NOT serve hot food!) The First Class trolleys seemingly boarding at Bristol. (however I got ^15 in compensation as they had foolishly assured me I would receive it  )

XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) slowly appear to be getting their act together, At Seat First Class catering is provided on the 07:51, 08:51, 09:51 departures from Taunton, regardless of a Trolley Service or Onboard shop being available. When I board any of those trains I get a Cup of Tea, Mushroom, Cheese & Tomato Bap thingy and a yogurt. If the First Class Host is in a good mood they occasionally slip me a bit of shortbread

I have noted however, the lack of at seat catering travelling south of Bristol, But as I explained, Travelling North From Plymouth does seem to provide catering on some services.

Also if the First Class Host has had enough time, the remaining First Class food is taken down to the shop, from which you collect, south of Bristol. If a trolley service is the order of the day, The Retail Manager will distribute the remaining food kept in a cupboard in the First Class Galley upon arriving into First Class... Providing the Driver and Train Manager haven't eaten it all...

Please forgive the long post, I've just realise I travel by rail too much...

[devon_metro]

I see.  When I travelled I was on the 1714 from Bristol which was chocka block in first class until Newton Abbot. Now if you would excuse me, I am about to get very angry at the non existent broadband that I am supposedto be recievinf. I'm currently typing blind as the safari loading screen is filling half of my window. (mobile device)

[Btline]

Ah good, another Safari user - officially the best browser.

When I travelled First Class on XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)), my return was later at night so there was no Host.

On arrival at the buffet, I asked whether I could choose anything.

She said "no"!

But I was allowed a tea, a sandwich and a bottle of mineral water.

Not bad for a First Advance ticket WHICH WAS ^2 CHEAPER THAN THE CHEAPEST STANDARD ADVANCE!!

[devon_metro]

Not quite. I use Firefox, Safari is the only option of web browser on the old iPod.

[Ollie]

Picked a day at random earlier: 29th April

fare was available.

[Zoe]

I think it's a bit pointless offering advance fares for journeys like Taunton to Bristol.  If these were to be withdrawn then in theory the cost of walk-on fares for could be reduced.  I doubt it would though.

[super tm]

I think it's a bit pointless offering advance fares for journeys like Taunton to Bristol.  If these were to be withdrawn then in theory the cost of walk-on fares for could be reduced.  I doubt it would though.

They offer them on this route because Cross Country get most of the revenue for this route. An advance fare for a very low price means that FGW^▸ (First Great Western) gets almost as much revenue as they would from the share of the interavailable one.

Another example is that Cross country offer advance ticket from Reading to Oxford for the same reason FGW get more of the revenue for that route as they run most of the services.