I assume as you work for TfL you don’t have staff passes or PRIV rate tickets? Either way it’s standard class only generally as others have said. At the TOCs I’ve worked at, the only staff entitled to first class travel are senior managers (at all times) or other managers (at weekends). This will be evident on the passes though and clearly marked as such.I work for TFL & I was told while travelling to work using Avanti West Coast Or NorthWestern Rail I can sit in first class instead of standard by a member of staff at my local station. Normally standard is fine & I do always sit in standard but there have been occasions where I have sat in first class with no problem except for two occasions. The first one the Trains Manager asked for my ticket for first class, I told him I was told I could sit in first class by another member of staff, he said no & asked me to move to standard but changed his tune after I sat down when he noticed my uniform under my coat. He then said I could sit in first class as I work for a TOC & I could go back & sit down, frankly I was embarrassed & said well you’ve kicked me out & I’m her now so it’s fine. Today I sat in first class, the other carriages were full & to protect myself as a key worker I sat in first class where there was just myself & another customer, when asked for my ticket (I was sitting in my uniform jumper with the logo clearly visible) I said to the Train Manager I was told by a member of your staff we could sit in first class, she rudely replied “who told you that?” I said a member of station staff & train staff, she said well for today it’s fine but in future sit in standard.
I’m not bothered about being removed from first class or only travelling in standard cause I don’t always travel in first but I hate that I’m getting mixed information. Can anyone clarify if TOC staff can sit in first class on national rail trains IF in uniform? I want to point out I have seen other national rail workers (that work for other NR companies), arriva rail workers & LU workers sitting in first class with no problem but I always seem to have a problem. I just want correct information.
Thank you.....
If you’re TfL staff travelling in first class and are caught, you could be reported under railway Byelaws as you’re committing an offence the same as any other member of the public (unless staff give you permission which you be fair, you’ve had, even if it is a bit wishy washy). You won’t be in breach of your company’s policy necessarily as you don’t have Staff passes to abuse on national rail services.