Services with First Class but First Class tickets unavailable for purchase

[A Challenge]

If the timetable has no first class on the service then surely you can sit in first class anyway, even with a standard class tickets?

 

[Haywain]

If the timetable has no first class on the service then surely you can sit in first class anyway, even with a standard class tickets?

Unless the TOC chooses to take that part of the train out of use, yes.

 

[AY1975]

Unless the TOC chooses to take that part of the train out of use, yes.

There is a separate thread on this at www.railforums.co.uk/threads/services-with-first-class-but-first-class-tickets-unavailable-for-purchase.171774/page-2

 

[A Challenge]

That is my original post on this thread?

 

[Cdd89]

A related example I’ve often wondered about is the Heathrow Express, for which inter-terminal travel is free of charge but in express class only.

 

[A Challenge]

There is no first class ticket valid on the Heathrow inter-terminal transfer, unless a 1st class travelcard season (minimum price £38.30/week) is valid, it wouldn't be through to London Paddington, but I don't know about the inter-terminal shuttle!

 

[Cdd89]

Interesting - I guess a different way of asking the question would be, what (legally) makes a standard class journey between terminals free (and more importantly, valid to undertake), whereas a first class journey is not, bearing in mind that according to BRFares there is no quoted reason for either?

I suspect there’s a very obvious answer (e.g. NRCoC makes provision for permission to travel and free express transfers are advertised). But I would be interested to know definitively...

Also, I suspect the answer may have changed now LHR is in a gated area and terminal transfer tickets are needed. ...

 

[A Challenge]

I think that as they are allowed to give free travel as you mention the NRCoC and this can require some evidence that you have been given permission by staff, which is in this case the terminal transfer ticket does, which is instead of a written note from a person or 'the man on the platform said...'