People sat in first class with out a ticket

[sickyicky]

This weekend I booked first class train tickets so I was more likely guaranteed a seat. I suffer with chronic illness and new the trains would be packed due to football match and Christmas shopping. Both time trains have been busy and on the way there it was standing only. No one in first class had a ticket eventually someone gentleman gave me a seat once I had to sit down on the floor. I would have asked for a seat from someone who didn’t have a ticket but I was on my own and first class was full of drunken footballers shouting. On the way back train was full but had enough seats for everyone but that meant people sitting in first class. The train carriages haven’t been declassified so I can’t claim the extra back I paid and as train was so busy train guard couldn’t get through to check tickets. On the train out we had to change and an elderly gentleman when telling some footballers that this was a first class carriage did they have a ticket was told to F off. What do you do in these situations. I’m on the train heading back now so if train guard does come and check tickets and these people aren’t ask to move I will nicely ask how I go about getting the 60 pound difference in ticket refund.

We always travel first class on the trains. Once on the train to Manchester our first class carriage got filled up with rough people due to a cancellation. I was livid. The tickets were expensive and we didn't get them refunded. Had to listen to their disgusting conversations the whole way there.

You were giving very strange advice that indicates a complete inability to assess risk and a lack of knowledge of how train travel in this country actually works, making your comment of no practical use to the OP.

Rough people? My goodness. Did you ever recover?

We paid extra to avoid them. We should have been refunded.

You don't think "rough people" ever sit in first class?

🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱

I haven’t had any issues on the countless trips I’ve been on. Standard class however…

Did you not read what the OP wrote?

I don't think there's any "confusion"...!

My experience too. I once had a row with a 'commuter' who refused to vacate the seat I'd booked. He did eventually move, but not before being extremely abusive.

So train companies Avanti for instance reserve a seat and give you the actual number with your ticket. Others like Greater Anglia just say sit in any seat available in the first class carriage.

No point buying a first class ticket if the seats are not reservable on your trains.I do sympathise,but the only way round it seems to be not travelling at peak times.

Britain’s railways are a shambles

If you can find one!

I travel this route frequently and yes, the guards being all pally with the "lads lads lads" who are constantly swearing loudly, talking-shouting, and drinking back -to-back cans really gets to me. Women and children carriages are desperately needed.

Are you assuming that because of their socio demographic status that that they not obtained a first class ticket or did you have conclusive proof?

I can assure you that as a pastime football is not a cheap one to follow. It costs a minimum of one hundred pounds for a premier league match, thousands for a season ticket, and if their team makes it to Europe they spend thousands on flights and travel. A day out as a fan will mean gorging themselves on over priced food and drinks.

A day out for a fan to attend a 90 minute match could cost in the range of two hundred to five hundred pounds and beyond, depending on a lot of factors, so a few extra pounds on a first class ticket isn’t going to phase them.

Maybe you can’t judge a book by the cover but you can judge the price !

@Dimdam I’m not convinced about the few extra quid. I live beside a stadium, there are designated carparks, there’s a park and ride service, but many would rather save that few quid and park on the residential streets nearby. We never take the car out on match days.

At the point that the train is so busy it would be unreasonable not to let people take empty seats in first class the train should be declassified. That way the people who have paid the first class fare can get a refund of the difference between first and standard. On my commute by GWR the train is often what they term ‘extremely busy’, usually because they cancelled the one before or sent too few carriages. They never declassify the train and they avoid checking tickets so they don’t have to charge upgrades or move people out because they know people would kick off. It means that those who have paid the premium don’t get the service they have paid for and it is very annoying. Don’t get me started on the arseholes who get on at Reading and stand in first class blocking up the aisle and making the door constantly open and close even when the train isn’t full, so that they can rush off the train first and be nearer the barriers. I think an inspector should get on and charge every single one of the fuckers a penalty fare.

My season ticket costs me 235 pounds - your point is very valid, but a ticket to watch my club on a match day (adult) is around 27 pounds

I do get your point though, we can't assume that football fans don't have money and can't afford to buy a first class ticket

Email the TOC Customer Services, describe what happened and request refund of the first class premium you paid as they failed to perform their contract. Request they also fully repay the rest of your ticket as compensation (refund, delay repay and compensation are all different). If you had a particularly unpleasant experience some TOCs will offer a free return journey too - push them.

Can someone explain to me why 'well it's football, isn't it? Just one of those things!' is any excuse for anti-social behaviour. I'd be wanting an apology and my money back, at least.