FGW 1st Class - ongoing discussion of the benefits and their apparent reduction

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

I suspect they may reconsider once the work is complete, but that's a couple of timetables away...

[Umberleigh]

Although I've not had to travel to London as often in the past year, between 2009-13 I was undertaking Exeter - London as frequently as two return trips per week.

I really appreciated the First Class environment and the ability to stretch out and work in a quiet environment. And for me, that is a single seat in G with no-one opposite me (until perhaps Reading).

Selfish? I remember once paying over ^160 for a single 2.2 hour journey.

If I'm going to be packed into a metal tube with people left, right and centre of me then I may as well fly, or even better, drive to Heathrow and take the Heathrow Express.

It's a shame, because the train is the green option and I used to enjoy my journeys (except the odd delayed journey/four hour wait at Paddington). But it was a winter of discontent on the London service with flooding followed by diversions followed by the sea wall. And now Boeing-style seats are supposed to compensate for having Dave from accounts yelling into his mobile inches from my face?

[ChrisB]

Not if you continue to take your single seat....you won't even get anyone staring at you from Reading as those will be airline....

[chrisr_75]

In full agreement with Umberleigh.

The only benefit for me in first was additional space in the quiet carriage. Apart from that there is little else to justify the additional cost, particularly if you compare to something like the Pendolino offering by Virgin. Full meal service, quiet carriage, modern trains etc etc

[IndustryInsider]

Isn't the First Class service offering being revamped at the end of the conversion work?

[ChrisB]

if you compare to something like the Pendolino offering by Virgin. Full meal service, quiet carriage, modern trains etc etc

Which, strange you should mention it, I am doing exactly this on Thursday - ^50 return to Glasgow, 1st class.

[chrisr_75]

Isn't the First Class service offering being revamped at the end of the conversion work?

I've not seen anything to suggest any changes other than the refreshed interiors. Common sense would tell you that if they had plans for a much improved service level that they would publicise accordingly in order to placate customers during the disruption of the changes.

I have serious doubts as to whether had 'full service' environment is ever likely to be restored, even post electrification, unless some radical new operator is installed on the franchise...

[chrisr_75]

if you compare to something like the Pendolino offering by Virgin. Full meal service, quiet carriage, modern trains etc etc

Which, strange you should mention it, I am doing exactly this on Thursday - ^50 return to Glasgow, 1st class.

Wow, that is a good price, something only to dream of in FGW^▸ (First Great Western) land! Is that starting from Euston?

[ChrisB]

yep....they did an Spring offer a month or so ago for travel before July. ^25 e/w I got.

[chrisr_75]

And that is a clear demonstration of how to make best use of your first class accommodation without the expense of refreshing rolling stock only for most of it to be scrapped in 5 years time!

[broadgage]

I still think that the downgrading of first class is a politicly inspired decision as a result of MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) no longer being allowed in first at the public expense.

Had MPs still been allowed first class then I suspect that it would be a "valuable service for business customers" and "a vital part of ensuring that the West remains competitive" and "helps attract the better of visitors who spend more in the West and help protect local jobs"

I think that MPs should be allowed first class, not because they deserve it, but to stop this sort of downgrading.

[IndustryInsider]

Isn't the First Class service offering being revamped at the end of the conversion work?

I've not seen anything to suggest any changes other than the refreshed interiors.

I thought I remembered reading something, perhaps I'm mistaken though.

[chrisr_75]

I still think that the downgrading of first class is a politicly inspired decision as a result of MPs^▸ (Member of Parliament) no longer being allowed in first at the public expense.

Had MPs still been allowed first class then I suspect that it would be a "valuable service for business customers" and "a vital part of ensuring that the West remains competitive" and "helps attract the better of visitors who spend more in the West and help protect local jobs"

I think that MPs should be allowed first class, not because they deserve it, but to stop this sort of downgrading.

I have also seen it suggested that the announcement of the changes to first class rather conveniently coincided with the announcement of the annual increase in regulated fares...

[chrisr_75]

I thought I remembered reading something, perhaps I'm mistaken though.

I've just found the FGW^▸ (First Great Western) press release from 14th March this year and it doesn't mention anything apart from the interior refresh and is titled "More standard class seats and a refreshed first class environment" which implies no change apart from the refresh.

[The Tall Controller]

On a side note, an HST^▸ (High Speed Train) set is now running around with the new first class seats fitted. They look and feel great on first inspection. Hope to see more floating around as time progresses. Will attach a photo later today hopefully but for the meantime you can see my photo on Twitter by looking up @FGWBodminPway (The first and only FGW^▸ (First Great Western) station currently on Twitter!)