FGW ‘ticket price scandal‘

[Bayum]

History of the Class 180
Was watching this this morning. 4:20 the narrator mentions a ‘ticket price scandal’ with FGW. Is this the 11% hike in Advance fares? I can’t find much else to support the idea of a ‘scandal’

 

[Mcr Warrior]

When was the film originally aired?

Was the comment anything to do with the discontinuation of cheap day returns a few years ago for many journeys originating from stations on lines such as the Cotswold Line?

The alternative higher priced ticket products would effectively have represented a significant increase in ticket prices for some passengers.

 

[Bayum]

When was the film originally aired?

Was the comment anything to do with the discontinuation of cheap day returns a few years ago for many journeys originating from stations on lines such as the Cotswold Line?

The alternative higher priced ticket products would effectively have represented a significant increase in ticket prices for some passengers.

About an hour ago today. It was a general comment. I’ll see if I can quote it.

“Problems continued to persist though, with general mechanics and also a safety concern with passenger doors shutting too quickly trapping people inside. These many issues adding to FGW’s tarnished reputation alongside signal and track work maintenance that caused severe delays and a ticket price scandal that almost resulted in legal action by passengers against First Group…”

 

[yorkie]

They hiked fares in the Thames Valley under the "fares basket system" and introduced illegal "standard fares" (which got them in hot water with DfT) and rebranded Off Peak fares as Super Off Peak while adding hefty restrictions, making way for a more expensive Off Peak.

I'm not sure what else they did, but it wouldn't surprise me if they got up to a lot more than that

 

[Haywain]

They may have made unpopular changes but ‘scandal’ is a bit excessive.

 

[father_jack]

"FGW" finished 21-09-16 and 180s have been finished on FGW many years before that, so heaven knows what the video maker refers to.

 

[Wallsendmag]

Was it not the £999 fare that s9meone picked up and thought it was an actual ticket ?

 

[Joe Paxton]

They may have made unpopular changes but ‘scandal’ is a bit excessive.

As Yorkie suggests, many years ago (maybe 10+) there was an issue where FGW messed up calculating their 'fares basket' on Thames Valley routes, and fares had been raised too much. As I recall, this was only brought to light by London Travelwatch, and I don't think it ever really got the attention it deserved. (Not least because it left one wondering how many other mistakes in fares basket calculations had been made elsewhere by other TOCs and had never been picked up on...)

 

[Paul Kelly]

As Yorkie suggests, many years ago (maybe 10+) there was an issue where FGW messed up calculating their 'fares basket' on Thames Valley routes, and fares had been raised too much. As I recall, this was only brought to light by London Travelwatch, and I don't think it ever really got the attention it deserved. (Not least because it left one wondering how many other mistakes in fares basket calculations had been made elsewhere by other TOCs and had never been picked up on...)

I once made a freedom of information request to try and get some information on the software the DfT used to calculate compliance with fares baskets etc. It's called FIRM. FOI details here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/documentation_relating_to_firm_s

Unfortunately after several long delays the DfT refused the request because, according to them, providing the information I had asked for would amount to a breach of commercial confidence with Atos Origin (now Worldline) who supplied the (apparently faulty, if what you say is correct!) software.

 

[alistairlees]

I once made a freedom of information request to try and get some information on the software the DfT used to calculate compliance with fares baskets etc. It's called FIRM. FOI details here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/documentation_relating_to_firm_s

Unfortunately after several long delays the DfT refused the request because, according to them, providing the information I had asked for would amount to a breach of commercial confidence with Atos Origin (now Worldline) who supplied the (apparently faulty, if what you say is correct!) software.

I see no harm in asking again. The basis for refusal seems incorrect.

 

[robbeech]

"FGW" finished 21-09-16 and 180s have been finished on FGW many years before that, so heaven knows what the video maker refers to.

Have the 180s been gone from there that long?

 

[Peter C]

Have the 180s been gone from there that long?

Wikipedia says the following:

After being replaced by Class 800s, all five [FGW Class 180s] were transferred to Grand Central in 2017.

It also says they were withdrawn from service in 2009, but they were re-introduced for a time between 2012 and 2017.

-Peter

 

[Iskra]

"FGW" finished 21-09-16 and 180s have been finished on FGW many years before that, so heaven knows what the video maker refers to.

It was in regards to them being ordered to replace HST's originally for FGW, the 180 introduction was of course delayed. It's quite a good video and very interesting.

I was also interested in the 'ticket price scandal' after watching so thanks for starting this thread @Bayum

 

[ess]

The 180s were my favourite. The most comfortable and loads of leg room