Sitting in First Class fine

[themalster]

Hi guys,

This morning I was late for the train and carrying a heavy bag and just got on the train. There was nowhere to sit apart from an empty First Class carriage so, stupidly, I sat in there.

An inspector came on and took my details, read my right to remain silent etc.

How much of a fine can i expect through the post?

[dave50]

Why didn't you just give him a false address?

[themalster]

He had my photo travelcard. They ring through to their office to check addresses. I did think of that.

[emmie]

unfortunately there is no where to hide on this, i have seen people get a fine for no ticket, and it's usually instantaneous. £20 quid comes to mind, but not sure, will see if can find out. As to giving a false address, doesn't work as they have a little machine that checks out the info you give.
I do feel sympathy and know how horribly crowded the trains get

[emmie]

info in here

http://www.nationalra...ts/penalty_fares.html

[sandyRoe]

So, there could be a first class carriage empty while just along the train people are squeezed in like sardines. Doesn't seem right, but rules is rules.

[emmie]

sandyr i rather agree with you, but as they say rules are rules, perhaps you should look at what people actually pay for their fares, and particularly first class, it's all a rip off.

[themalster]

Thanks guys. Sandyroe, I agree, I don't normally do it but literally there was nowhere to sit! At 6:34 in the morning, you don't expect a packed train and an empty First Class carriage!

[emmie]

i would, having commuted for some years, back and forth, trains were often packed at 6am.

[Old_Geezer]

To have put on first class carriages which travel empty whilst other class carriages are packed, should attract a fine too. Taunting folk whilst failing to provide a seat to match the ticket they took money for.

[albaqwerty]

OG I think they get around that by saying the purchasing of a ticket doesn't mean you'll get a seat.
Stinks.

[Old_Geezer]

I concur re fares. Before I moved a few years back I was living where there was an underground station. When my woman visited it wasn't uncommon to use the underground to zip into London for the Sunday afternoon. Now I have moved just outside the underground's reach (unless I drive part way into areas I am unfamiliar with and try to find a place to park for free) then I would have to use the overground. Tried it once; took the bus to the station and when I tried to buy a rail ticket found it would be almost £40 each just to spend a couple of hours out. So the train company lost the fare, had to run the journey with the empty seats anyway, and I never tried again.

[Old_Geezer]

Perhaps themaister can claim their getting a seat doesn't mean they'll purchase a ticket.

[cathfromsaron]

i understood that you could sit in first class when no other seats were avail, and i have done so unhindered! i have also sat in first class with the correct ticket and observed other people 'lodge' there with no ticket!

i would appeal in writing, if the bill/fine comes!

[Sqad]

First Class is for people who have elected to pay extra for a superior seat and that is their choice.

If everyone elected to sit in first class with an economy ticket, just because he/she couldn't find a seat, there would be chaos.

BR or whichever should kickout anybody sitting in first class who did not have a first class ticket.......and fine them.

[cathfromsaron]

were you given the opportunity to leave ... ?

(i'm not rich: i usually either book ahead and get a bargain 1st class seat or pay £10 to upgrade off peak BTW)

cath x

[Lakitu]

He said you have the right to remain silent? LOL!

£20 is what you're looking at.

http://www.nationalra...ts/penalty_fares.html

[EDDIE51]

sqad that is exactly what they do.
The fine or penalty fare is £20 or twice the single fare for the same journey which ever is the greater. Soon to be increased to £50.

[Old_Geezer]

Hardly chaos Sqad. Priority would always be to those who paid the full price, others just get bumped up as already happens on airlines. It would also be an incentive to run the railway properly too and provide enough carriages.

Anyway what is the fuss about ? themaister admits in the title that sitting in first class is fine.

[Sqad]

EDDIE..........good.

[rowanwitch]

did you try to debate the issue? if you argue back using the all the other seats are full excuse the will get heavy handed... Usually if folk apologise and say they will move without argument they get away with it