Why do some South Eastern operators, e.g. Thameslink and Southern have
First Class? Aside from the fact that the seating is not very differnt
to Standard (apart from Thameslink who at least have proper First Class
seats), there are never any ticket checks on board these trains so
First Class can become a free-for-all with no distinction between who
has a Standard ticket in First and who doesn't.

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis? Should they adopt the Chiltern route of
abolisihing First Class? I mean, look at the Silverlink County First
Class - it's rubbish!

On 7 Nov 2005 13:08:31 -0800, "Andrea" wrote:

Why do some South Eastern operators, e.g. Thameslink and Southern have
First Class? Aside from the fact that the seating is not very differnt
to Standard (apart from Thameslink who at least have proper First Class
seats), there are never any ticket checks on board these trains so

While rare, ticket checks are more common than never.

First Class can become a free-for-all with no distinction between who
has a Standard ticket in First and who doesn't.

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis?

Passengers are more likely to get a seat if they pay for first. In
some cases, first class may technically not exist when the trains are
being used on suburban routes.

Should they adopt the Chiltern route of
abolisihing First Class? I mean, look at the Silverlink County First
Class - it's rubbish!

--
Arthur Figgis Surrey, UK

On Mon, 07 Nov 2005 22:41:57 +0000, Arthur Figgis
] wrote:

Passengers are more likely to get a seat if they pay for first. In
some cases, first class may technically not exist when the trains are
being used on suburban routes.

Yes, that's an interesting point. The train I get to work on a Friday
(runs Victoria to London Bridge via Crystal Palace) is formed of
ex-Brighton Express stock (complete with First Class seating) but
AFAIK there are no first class fares available along that route, and
certainly not for my part of it.

Does that, therefore, mean that I am entitled to sit in the "First
Class" area with my Z1-3 Annual?

And what about on trains between London Bridge and Charing Cross that
have an origin/destination where first class fares are available?

--
James Farrar
. @gmail.com

SNOB !
"Andrea" wrote in message
oups.com...
Why do some South Eastern operators, e.g. Thameslink and Southern have
First Class? Aside from the fact that the seating is not very differnt
to Standard (apart from Thameslink who at least have proper First Class
seats), there are never any ticket checks on board these trains so
First Class can become a free-for-all with no distinction between who
has a Standard ticket in First and who doesn't.

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis? Should they adopt the Chiltern route of
abolisihing First Class? I mean, look at the Silverlink County First
Class - it's rubbish!

In message .com,
Andrea writes

Why do some South Eastern operators, e.g. Thameslink and Southern have
First Class? Aside from the fact that the seating is not very differnt
to Standard (apart from Thameslink who at least have proper First Class
seats),

The First Class accommodation on SWT is noticeably different to Standard
- wider seats (2+2 rather than 2+3), sockets for computers and phones,
individual reading lights, etc.

there are never any ticket checks on board these trains so
First Class can become a free-for-all with no distinction between who
has a Standard ticket in First and who doesn't.

I've certainly seen checks.

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis?

In the case of SWT, there is a distinction between true suburban routes
(the Hounslow and Kingston loops, for example) and semifast outer
suburban routes, such as the Windsor line, where there are a limited
number of inner London stops. First class is usually provided only on
the latter - presumably because there is a demand for it.

--
Paul Terry

"Paul Terry" wrote in message
...
In message .com, Andrea
writes

In the case of SWT, there is a distinction between true suburban routes
(the Hounslow and Kingston loops, for example) and semifast outer suburban
routes, such as the Windsor line, where there are a limited number of
inner London stops. First class is usually provided only on the latter -
presumably because there is a demand for it.

--
Paul Terry

On the Portsmouth line the first class is busy in the peaks to the point of
being full on some trains after Haslemere and ticket checks are the norm
towards London.

Paul

In article ,
(Paul Terry) wrote:

In message .com,
Andrea writes

Why do some South Eastern operators, e.g. Thameslink and Southern
have First Class? Aside from the fact that the seating is not very
differnt to Standard (apart from Thameslink who at least have proper
First Class seats),

The First Class accommodation on SWT is noticeably different to
Standard - wider seats (2+2 rather than 2+3), sockets for computers
and phones, individual reading lights, etc.

there are never any ticket checks on board these trains so
First Class can become a free-for-all with no distinction between who
has a Standard ticket in First and who doesn't.

I've certainly seen checks.

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis?

In the case of SWT, there is a distinction between true suburban
routes (the Hounslow and Kingston loops, for example) and semifast
outer suburban routes, such as the Windsor line, where there are a
limited number of inner London stops. First class is usually provided
only on the latter - presumably because there is a demand for it.

South West Trains also has the more main line routes to Weymouth and
Portsmouth, not to mention Paignton via Salisbury and Exeter.

--
Colin Rosenstiel

"Paul Terry" wrote in message
...

In the case of SWT, there is a distinction between true suburban routes
(the Hounslow and Kingston loops, for example) and semifast outer suburban
routes, such as the Windsor line, where there are a limited number of
inner London stops. First class is usually provided only on the latter -
presumably because there is a demand for it.

--
Paul Terry

There is no first class on the Windsor service though,. The first class
sections are declassified, and usually quite empty, because the majority of
passengers don't realise this.

Paul

In message , Paul
Scott writes

There is no first class on the Windsor service though,. The first class
sections are declassified, and usually quite empty, because the majority of
passengers don't realise this.

Ah yes, you're right - but I think Reading trains on the same line still
have first class (thus adding yet further to the confusion, since if you
get on somewhere like Richmond you don't tend to think about whether the
train started from Reading or Windsor).

--
Paul Terry

Paul Terry wrote:
In message .com,
Andrea writes

Just what is the logic behind offering First Class on suburban routes
in the London metropolis?

In the case of SWT, there is a distinction between true suburban routes
(the Hounslow and Kingston loops, for example) and semifast outer
suburban routes, such as the Windsor line, where there are a limited
number of inner London stops. First class is usually provided only on
the latter - presumably because there is a demand for it.

Funny you should mention the Windsor line. The Windsor & Eaton train
via Whitton I get each morning & evening has a first class carriage, but
there is no first class service available on the train. So anyone can
sit in 1st class, but I think most people don't know this...

--
Paul