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

[whole diary]

[Adelante_CCT]

Just an update on this, with Mr Sharma again.

http://www.getreading.co.uk/news/local-news/first-great-western-trains-track-8694962

[ChrisB]

Politicians are great, eh? Doncha just love 'em?

He urged the train boss to make sure the increased capacity trains became available within weeks rather than months.

At the meeting, he also asked FGW^▸ (First Great Western) to get rid of first class carriages completely on local stopping trains.

Of course, having converted them, FGW were going to just leave them sitting in depots unused? Of course they were.

And a failure on the second request completely. And taking the honours after he jumped on the bandwagon on the first. Good going, you pillock.

[Timmer]

Media release regards the composite coach from FGW^▸ (First Great Western):
https://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/About-Us/Media-Centre/2015/February/passengers-to-benefit-from-additional-carriages

[JayMac]

I trust FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are going to make it clear that going through that door is entering 1st Class. From the picture there are no signs or warnings.

[a-driver]

I trust FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are going to make it clear that going through that door is entering 1st Class. From the picture there are no signs or warnings.

Judging by that picture it looks like getting the First Class trolley through there might be a squeeze.

[thetrout]

Judging by that picture it looks like getting the First Class trolley through there might be a squeeze.

I much suspect it will be left in the vestibule, in the empty cupboard behind the power car (What used to be a toilet) or as I've more commonly seen... In the wheelchair space


I believe there now at least 4 TFRB's in circulation with the refurbished First Class seating.

[Oxonhutch]

There was one on 1L05 this morning.  Couldn't see any stickers on the door, but then I was on the inside looking out, and it was quite a dark smoky glass. FC^‡(resolve) trolley was reversed at the door and parked in the vestibule prior to the next service post-Reading.

[thetrout]

Editted to add. Also has a sticker advising entry to First Class seating

[IndustryInsider]

I see that Virgin West Coast are modifying their 9-car Pendolino train to give an extra standard class carriage and a 6/3 standard/first split instead of 5/4.  This equates to an extra 76 standard seats (with the loss of 46 first class ones).  About time too as I can't understand why they weren't specified like that when built!

[NickB]

Even 6/3 is vastly different to FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s 6.5/1.5.

As I reported in the Rights and Redress section FGW are now refusing refunds for having to stand in First unless a reservation was made.  This goes against National Conditions of Carriage and their own Passengers Charter.  Disgraceful on so many levels.

[thetrout]

I believe that's possibly from when Virgin Trains tried to go for a 3 Class Railway. Standard Class, Silver Service and First Class?

This was the same Virgin Trains that with their XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) Franchise originally named First Class as Club Class.

Except you could never buy a Club Class Ticket so technically you could never travel legitamately under the NRCOC^▸ (National Rail Conditions of Carriage) as a ticket for the service didn't exist...

[TaplowGreen]

Even 6/3 is vastly different to FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s 6.5/1.5.

As I reported in the Rights and Redress section FGW are now refusing refunds for having to stand in First unless a reservation was made.  This goes against National Conditions of Carriage and their own Passengers Charter.  Disgraceful on so many levels.

...........so people buying the most (very) expensive First class tickets for/with the benefit of unlimited flexibility may have to stand with no refund? 

[IndustryInsider]

Even 6/3 is vastly different to FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s 6.5/1.5.

Yes, though it's actually nearer 2 with space for the crumple zone, disabled toilet and kitchen taken into account.   99 first class seats, which is more, but not a huge amount more, that the current FGW layout, and pretty much identical to what's expected from the IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project.) 9-cars.

As I reported in the Rights and Redress section FGW are now refusing refunds for having to stand in First unless a reservation was made.  This goes against National Conditions of Carriage and their own Passengers Charter.  Disgraceful on so many levels.

I quite agree.  That is indeed disgraceful.

[NickB]

Even 6/3 is vastly different to FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s 6.5/1.5.

As I reported in the Rights and Redress section FGW are now refusing refunds for having to stand in First unless a reservation was made.  This goes against National Conditions of Carriage and their own Passengers Charter.  Disgraceful on so many levels.

...........so people buying the most (very) expensive First class tickets for/with the benefit of unlimited flexibility may have to stand with no refund? 

That is indeed what I have been instructed by Customer 'Service' on recept of my past two claims. 

[Jason]

As I reported in the Rights and Redress section FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are now refusing refunds for having to stand in First unless a reservation was made. 

Eh ? So how would I go about making a reservation for every journey I make, 10 a week, every week of the year, barring bank holidays ?