Attention Plebs

[Spacecadet]

Thankfully, the East Anglia line has a strict no-encroachment policy for first class travel. I've seen more than a few arguments between conductors and lower-class travellers standing in the doorways of first class carriages. Even on the standard commuter cars rather than intercity trains there is robust enforcement with regular plain clothes "raids" on ticket evasion in first class. There are no busy train exemptions.

Quite right too... I pay a small fortune for my first class ticket to essentially guarantee me a seat and some peace and quiet, especially on the morning commutes. It's quite amusing listening to the tuts and harrumphs from the other first class ticket holders when someone is rude enough to have a loud conversation.

Transpeninne do this :

When the conductor says the train is declassified what does this mean?
Sometimes, particularly at peak travelling times, we are unable to provide enough space in Standard class for the many customers who wish to use our services. At such times, the Conductor may decide that for the particularly busy part of that journey customers can sit anywhere on the train. This is called 'declassifying' the train. When this happens if you are have paid for a full class season ticket, you can claim a refund of the difference between First and Standard class travel for the affected part of the journey. This can be claimed as a cash refund by visiting the retail outlet that issued your ticket or by sending a copy of your season ticket to our Customer Relations Team for a refund in Rail Travel Vouchers.

[centurian]

When this happens if you are have paid for a full class season ticket, you can claim a refund of the difference between First and Standard class travel for the affected part of the journey.

The whole point of first class is that you get a pleasant journey especially when it's busy - that's the whole damn idea. First class is a waste of money if the train is half empty.

And since the 'affected part' is probably a relatively short distance compared to the overall journey, it probably means you get a refund of a few pounds.

So they're making you pay through the nose for the occasions when you don't need it, yet not allowing you the benefits of it when you really need it.

That would be like an insurer revoking your cover on the hour you were burgled, but offering you a refund on your premiums for those 60 minutes.