"Be prepared to vacate the seat or purchase a first class ticket"

[Class 800]

...there need to be screens on all units that clearly state whether first is in operation...

The 700s show it clearly on the PIS screens, so can't the 377s and 387s be adjusted? There are certainly announcements and displays showing the coach number.
Usually I go by the ATOS announcements / PIS at the station. If the announcement or display says "1st class accommodation is not available on the train" or "1st class areas can be used by all ticket holders" then it's quite clear.

 

[mpthomson]

To believe this implies that you can "pay when challenged" is the same logic that gives rise to peanuts having a label that reads "this contains nuts"

It may surprise you that quite often, the biggest critics of the railway, are those that work here.

Off topic, but those words on a bag of peanuts are necessary. Peanuts aren't nuts, they're legumes just as beans and peas are, and many with a true nut allergy aren't allergic to peanuts and vice versa. However peanuts are often packaged in factories that handle other nuts, so there's a possibility that traces of nuts that someone may be allergic to can get into a bag of peanuts that they aren't allergic to. Off topic over.

 

[Essexman]

On many occasions I see passengers given the choice to upgrade or move from First Class. Other than Weekend First it's fairly rare for people to take upgrade choice. Most move to Standard, either apologetically because 'they didn't realise it was First' or more grudgingly. I have never seen a Penalty Fare issued or details taken. Basically some people get away with travelling in First Class until challenged.

 

[Barry169]

About time first class was abolished.

Keep it simple.

 

[Tester]

About time first class was abolished.

Keep it simple.

.....and split the difference on pricing?

 

[GoneSouth]

…(unless on GWR on the North Downs).

Oops! Do they still classify that pokey little end compartment with a table as first class? I’ve sat in there many times without realising as it isn’t classified on services around Bristol. That’s outrageous if it is, it really isn’t worth a first class upgrade!

Time we scrapped first class and looked after the vast majority of passengers and offered more standard class seats!

.....and split the difference on pricing?

A carriage of first class with just half a dozen passengers will not raise as much revenue as a full standard carriage which replaces it so need to split any pricing.

 

[Bikeman78]

Probably because they declassify First Class on London metro services so people might assume (on longer routes) it's always declassified.

There are a few routes where identical stock has first on one service but not the other, e.g. Victoria to Horsham, standard only via Dorking, first class available via Gatwick.

 

[island]

Or at least a "record that isn't really a record" like a speeding conviction that is ignored by most things except motor insurance and risk assessment for business driving.

Byelaw convictions would seem to fit into this category

 

[Bletchleyite]

Byelaw convictions would seem to fit into this category

Agreed, but RoRA doesn't.

 

[TurbineEnginee]

“Please vacate the seat or be prepared to purchase a first clarse ticket” is remarkably clear.

It gives a choice. It categorically does not mandate moving.

The ticket rules are complex enough as it is without announcements actively, positively and definitively declaring that you don’t need to move if in fact you actually do.

There is something seriously broken if the passenger is required to read and correctly interpret all of the conditions of carriage, yet the TOC isn’t even required to get announcements about those conditions right.