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johoare
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« on: October 20, 2011, 22:08:02 » |
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I had a first class travelcard today as I could get the 8am Maidenhead to Paddington HST▸ . I wouldn't pay first class for a turbo but would for this service when I need to work on the train..
I last did this about 2 months ago.. Then, as I'd expect, there were a few people in first class.. Today when I got to the station there was lots and lots of people waiting to board the front of the train.. And they all sat down in first class.. I got a seat but I did wonder if I would.
I have noticed in the past that they don't do ticket checks on this train once it's passed Maidenhead.. It looks as if people have got wise to this and use first class for free (although if FGW▸ can convince me that all these people purchased first class tickets I'm happy with that)
If not, then this isn't fair on people paying first class rates.. I bought a first class ticket for tomorrow on my way home tonight and asked the lady who sold me the ticket about this.. She said that the tickets should be checked on an HST.. When I said they weren't she, quite rightly, advised me to complain to FGW.. which I have done (and was going to do anyway)..
I bet nothing is done about it :-(
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JayMac
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« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2011, 04:57:49 » |
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I bet nothing is done about it :-(
Platitudes. And at a push, bigger warning stickers in the vestibules of 1st Class coaches. That'd be it I suspect. |
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"A clear conscience laughs at a false accusation."
"Treat everyone the same until you find out they're an idiot."
"Moral indignation is a technique used to endow the idiot with dignity."
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BerkshireBugsy
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« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2011, 07:52:31 » |
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As have said I travel often on the 547AM from THA to RDG‡ and have never had my ticket checked on that service. I believe this is a "Driver Operated Only " (DOO▸ ) service. Although I only ever buy a weekly STD ticket I would never dream of travelling in the first class area even though I know my ticket would never get checked.
I'm not saying for one moment it is a justication for using a STD class ticket to travel first class but when PAX know they are not going to be checked it makes life easier for those who are happy to do so.
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ChrisB
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« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2011, 08:16:32 » |
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Don't forget FGW▸ sell a Half 1st/half STD season ftom there which entitles you to 1st on the inward & STD on the return. FGW say its had a large sale of these
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BerkshireBugsy
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« Reply #4 on: October 21, 2011, 08:22:28 » |
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Don't forget FGW▸ sell a Half 1st/half STD season ftom there which entitles you to 1st on the inward & STD on the return. FGW say its had a large sale of these
I didnt know that so thanks for that tip. My next period of work sees me on the THA- RDG‡-REI route where getting a seat on the early morning services isn't a problem. Coming back is a different story as I often have to do battle with all the Gatwick PAX with their cases and real sun tans (Me, Jealous? Never!) |
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adc82140
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« Reply #5 on: October 21, 2011, 21:43:39 » |
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I used to travel First Class regularly on the 8.00 from Maidenhead, on one of the "1st Eastbound Only" tickets. 1st was always fairly full then, and on the occasions when a ticket inspection was done, only a small handfull of vestibule dwellers got chucked out, so yes, they were probably all legitimately there.
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johoare
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« Reply #6 on: October 21, 2011, 22:22:26 » |
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I used to travel First Class regularly on the 8.00 from Maidenhead, on one of the "1st Eastbound Only" tickets. 1st was always fairly full then, and on the occasions when a ticket inspection was done, only a small handfull of vestibule dwellers got chucked out, so yes, they were probably all legitimately there.
I'd be interested to know when that was as during this summer first class was pretty empty on that train.. Today..again.. it was full. All we need is aticket check then we'd all know.. :-) |
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adc82140
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« Reply #7 on: October 22, 2011, 12:12:31 » |
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I stopped doing that commute last December (now stuck with the North Downs Line doing Farnborough North-Guildford- I'm not sure which is worse).
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johoare
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« Reply #8 on: October 22, 2011, 15:49:46 » |
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I had a very prompt reply from FGW▸ but they'd got totally the wrong end of the stick and therefore "cut and paste" the wrong things into the reply.. They thought I'd told them first class has been de-classified on this service whereas I was actually asking them if it had been..
I've responded as such and now await a further reply.. Incidentally they did say if it had/has been de-classified on that service I can claim for a refund for the difference..
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BerkshireBugsy
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« Reply #9 on: October 23, 2011, 16:20:51 » |
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I had a very prompt reply from FGW▸ but they'd got totally the wrong end of the stick and therefore "cut and paste" the wrong things into the reply.. They thought I'd told them first class has been de-classified on this service whereas I was actually asking them if it had been..
I've responded as such and now await a further reply.. Incidentally they did say if it had/has been de-classified on that service I can claim for a refund for the difference..
When I have contacted FGW regarding issues I have always tried to balance the positive with the negative but it does frustrate me the the employees that respond don't seem to grasp the issue being raised and - like you said - they almost resort to "copy and paste" or "press F1 to generate a response to a ticket issue". Sadly I have give up contacting FGW about any issues, either positive of negative. |
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argg
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« Reply #10 on: October 24, 2011, 13:54:01 » |
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I wouldn't pay first class for a turbo but would for this service when I need to work on the train..
What is the point of first class on the turbos? Hardly a first class service and (in the mornings at least) eventually generally full of passengers many of whom I suspect may not have paid for the service. Like Jo I would happily be convinced otherwise. In my experience ticket inspections only happen during daytime offpeak - in 5 years I think I've experienced a ticket check on a peak time turbo once. Presumably the potential revenue take is greater during the day as the thieving [insert appropriate noun here] not buying tickets don't get up too early. |
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ChrisB
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« Reply #11 on: October 24, 2011, 14:02:57 » |
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Don't you believe it! Many commuters think that getting to/from work should be free
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #12 on: October 24, 2011, 15:57:25 » |
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Indeed, there have been some huge scams uncovered over the years often by affluent commuting types. I can't track it down on here, but there was one topic where we discussed a fraud case heading out of Liverpool Street if I remember correctly? Fare rises of 10% every year will only encourage them more!
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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johoare
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« Reply #14 on: October 30, 2011, 22:33:39 » |
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FGW▸ replied again.. A much better reply this time.. They said that First class wasn't declassified on the 8am Maidenhead to Paddington service (which I knew really) and then lots of information about how they'll check tickets much better in the future..
I'll keep their e-mail reply and next time I can go first class I'll reply to it if the situation is still as bad as last time.. I would like to hope that they'd add a ticket check into that service occasionally now I've told them... We'll see..
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