strawbrick
Member
- Joined
- 28 Jan 2015
- Messages
- 73
Indeed, that facility has always been available on the NSE / Silverlink / London Midland and now London Northwestern services out of Euston, if the Guard / Conductor makes an announcement on the lines of "Ladies and Gentlemen,as the train is very crowded I have declassified 1st Class so that is available to holders of Standard Class tickets".At least some TOCs will compensate down to Standard fare if you have a 1st ticket and no 1st seat, I believe. That's as much of a guarantee as you can provide without compulsory reservations.
Unfortunately, even if the train is jam packed, the announcement is very, and I do mean very, rarely made. Indeed the best excuse I have been given for not making is was "The train was so over-crowded that I could not get through to check ...". This despite that for many years the Guards have been able to open and close doors and give the go signal from most if not all carriages, not just the rear cab.
The announcement that is never heard is "In view of the declassification, holders of 1st class tickets may apply for a refund."
Even if they do de-classify and you apply for a refund you may be told, sorry but they have no record of the de-classification so no refund.
I have the tee-shirts.