Because TPE have not set a first class fare.
Apart from a season ticket for £150/week
Do TPE even operate Sheffield to Manchester? I assume Northern don't do first on the edale line, but EMT presumably do.
Sheffield to Stockport is £46.80 return
Stockport to Macclesfield is £17.10 return
Total £63.90
I think this would be cheaper than a through ticket even if one existed based on
Sheffield to wilmslow is £66.10 return
Stockport to wilmslow is £9.10
Splitting at Stockport is £55.90
For a through ticket, Alfreton to Macclrsfield for £89 return looks the best I can find. ALF to Stockport doesn't exist. What a funny route, the train companies simply throw away money.