First Class Vestibules

[Gizmogle]

A First Great Western guard...KICKED ME OUT OF A "FIRST CLASS" VESTIBULE!!!
It's not like the first class people are gonna to sit on the floor of the vestibule themselves, as they have tickets!
Because the train was so full, there were no seats, of even spaces to sit in the standard class vestibules. So I had to sit between coaches, in the really rough bit in the middle. Surely that's gotta be dangerous? As well as VERY painful, having my back constantly beaten for over an hour.
Anyone else think this is rather stupid? Should I complain about the *******?

I was feeling rather positive that day aswell!
"First Great Western...they can't be as bad as everyone says"
God, was I wrong.
And we were late!

:x

</rant>

 

[devon_metro]

You are in a FC area so unless you have a FC ticket you are not allowed in. No excuses really.

 

[Jim]

NCoC states I belive that if you are in a FC area, even if not seated, you can be chagred the full FC fare, but if the train was wedged, how ridiculous

 

[Mojo]

Did you point out that there was nowhere else to go on the train? In theory, yes, it's not permitted, but it's a bit petty moving someone on when the train was so full.

Don't the Conditions of Carnage provide you can travel in 1st class seating on a busy train with permission of the guard?

 

[Gizmogle]

Well, the guard knew there was no where to sit. He'd just come from the back of the train.
In my opinion though, the vestibules are between first class. No other TOC has a problem with my sitting there when seats are all taken.

 

[Mojo]

I think it was probably the Train Manager being a bit petty IMO, there are a few of them about, like the VXC one who insists the only place bags can go is in the luggage racks, even if the train is empty.

 

[Gizmogle]

Yeah, he seemed to enjoy having a go at me lol
But surely there's some rule that says that people shouldn't be spending over an hour having their back bashed in because there's nowhere to sit?

 

[Mojo]

You could just state your ground & refuse to move, obviously being as fair to them as possible.

 

[Gizmogle]

It's too late for that now isn't it

 

[Jim]

I think it was probably the Train Manager being a bit petty IMO, there are a few of them about, like the VXC one who insists the only place bags can go is in the luggage racks, even if the train is empty.

I know the 1, but can;'t remember the name

 

[Mojo]

Francis Mbongodozey or something like that. It's a shame, because I was about to write a letter to Virgin saying how most of their XC Train Managers can be.

 

[Jim]

I remember one afternoon I went to Penzance the TM was urging me to sit down, even though there were other pax standing, then I nicley reminded him I came from Birstol area, and stood every morning and night when I go to/from Bristol!

 

[Tom B]

If you can't physically fit in the standard class coaches, what can he do?!

 

[W14Fishbourne]

If you can't physically fit in the standard class coaches, what can he do?!

I have yet to see a standard class coach that can't take a few more people. Just look at the number that can fit into a London Underground vehicle.

Incidentally, the tip-up seats in the vestibules of South West Trains class 159s adjacent to First Class are covered in the blue First Class moquette not the red standard class stuff, so I assume you have to have a First Class ticket to use them.

The vestibules adjacent to First Class accommodation are, indeed, considered as First Class. I suppose that the idea is to allow FC passengers access to the toilets without having to force their way through a crush of standing passengers.

 

[Gizmogle]

The vestibules adjacent to First Class accommodation are, indeed, considered as First Class. I suppose that the idea is to allow FC passengers access to the toilets without having to force their way through a crush of standing passengers.

So, everyone else has to get crushed in the vestibules so that first class customers can have a nice trip to the toilet?

I have yet to see a standard class coach that can't take a few more people. Just look at the number that can fit into a London Underground vehicle.

London Underground journeys are only a few minutes. This particular journey was Exeter to Reading. I doubt there are many people that would stand up for the duration of that.

 

[Jim]

London Underground journeys are only a few minutes. This particular journey was Exeter to Reading. I doubt there are many people that would stand up for the duration of that.

Many people do & indeed have!

 

[Gizmogle]

Many people do & indeed have!

Bloody hell.
They deserve medals.

 

[voyagerdude220]

When i've been on a Voyager between Manchester/Birmingham and Reading, and the train has been overcrowded in SC, there's always been SC passengers sat in the vestibule, and the TM hasn't moved them.

I don't mind people sitting in the vestibule at all, as long as I can get to/from the toilet/shop without having to trip over people.

 

[Jordy]

Incidentally, the tip-up seats in the vestibules of South West Trains class 159s adjacent to First Class are covered in the blue First Class moquette not the red standard class stuff, so I assume you have to have a First Class ticket to use them.

There is a vestibule on the first class side of TPE 185s with tip up seats, it also has the first class moquette, however it is available for standard class pax (probably because it is the wheelchair area - with space for a wheelchair and the wheelchair accessable toilet)

Jordy

 

[Lewisham2221]

I've never had a problem with standing in the FC vestibules before, although I've only ever done it on Virgin and not FGW.

Unless there is a clear indication that you are actually in a First Class area - the fact that any indication of FC is usually on the door from vestibule into the main saloon, so you could easily argue that you don't require a FC ticket to be in the vestibule.

 

[Gizmogle]

I've never had a problem with standing in the FC vestibules before, although I've only ever done it on Virgin and not FGW.

Unless there is a clear indication that you are actually in a First Class area - the fact that any indication of FC is usually on the door from vestibule into the main saloon, so you could easily argue that you don't require a FC ticket to be in the vestibule.

Exactly, the First class signs are on the doors. Which suggests that the vestibules are BETWEEN the first class areas.
I always sit in FC vestibules on Virgin and MML and they never have problems with it. It's only FGW that have ever mentioned it.
Infact, when sat in an FC vestibule with 960012 the TM came and gave us seats in FC!

 

[Daniel]

(On Midland Mainline) if a train is so busy that standard class passengers choose to sit on the floor in First Class vestibules, the TM's generally at least offer these passengers First Class complementaries, or a seat if FC is not as busy.

 

[yorkie]

Many people do & indeed have!

I have, and indeed I'd do so again - on three conditions: 1) it's a valenta, 2) I am by one of the locos, 3) nice weather. I'd certainly rather stand on those circumstances than sit down on a Crapalente.

 

[class 313]

Bloody hell.
They deserve medals.

I've done it. Doing h/o all the way, not that hard on the legs!

 

[voyagerdude220]

A First Great Western guard...KICKED ME OUT OF A "FIRST CLASS" VESTIBULE!!!
It's not like the first class people are gonna to sit on the floor of the vestibule themselves, as they have tickets!
</rant>

FGW haven't yet mentioned on their website that one of the advantages of travelling FC is that you can sit in an empty FC vestibule.

http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/Content.aspx?id=60

 

[Gizmogle]

I've done it. Doing h/o all the way, not that hard on the legs!

Yeah, it's not so bad doing heads out when you're either on your own or with a couple of people. But it's different (or I think it is) standing up for so long in a really small space, not being able to move much.

 

[Tom B]

IIRC the GNER policy is, if the standard class is standing only passengers should be permitted into First Class. That may just be certain guards though.

 

[87015]

Just sounds like a jobsworth guard throwing his weight around, could happen on any TOC

 

[devon_metro]

So, everyone else has to get crushed in the vestibules so that first class customers can have a nice trip to the toilet?



London Underground journeys are only a few minutes. This particular journey was Exeter to Reading. I doubt there are many people that would stand up for the duration of that.

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned, this section of line is always busy from Exeter-London and I am not surprised you did not get a seat but next time you know, and make sure you book a reservation! Afterall, that is what they are there for.

 

[Beaker]

I think it was probably the Train Manager being a bit petty IMO, there are a few of them about, like the VXC one who insists the only place bags can go is in the luggage racks, even if the train is empty.

Luggage goes in the luggage rack why are you moaning about it ?