can you stand in 1st class?

[noveum]

So, after seeing a recent 1st class scenario play out on here, my question is:

 

Can you stand in the 1st Class area if the train is busy?

 

I assume you can stand but not sit - unless you have stupidly paid for a 1st class seat?!

 

It did make me chuckle once seeing a passenger argue with the Inspector when being charged for sitting on one without a ticket.... his response was 'I will happily pay for the 1st class seat if you can explain what warrents this to be 1st Class?!'...

[postggj]

It is not the seat that is 1st class, it is the carriage

 

Purchasing a ticket is authority to travel, not to guarantee a seat

[noveum]

so you purchase authority to travel in 1st class?

That would really annoy you if you bought the ticket to find all seats taken?!

[Bombaymix]

As above. I stood in the vestibule of a first class carriage and got told to move into the rammed standard class carriages whilst first class remained empty.

[noveum]

I recall standing in a 1st class area once and the ticket man came along and pinged everyone sitting down?!

 

bizarre unwritten rules i reckon?

[steampowered]

The signs say you can't stand in the area, so I imagine its not allowed. However I have been forced to do it many times. It is quite common for the trains into London to be so packed that there is literally no standing room. You can't resist the mass of people pushing and shoving down the carriage even if you want to.

 

To be fair, I see ticket inspectors all the time on quiet trains. But I have never seen an inspector on the packed trains during morning rush hour. I guess it would be physically impossible for him to move along the carriage.

Edited June 27, 2013 by steampowered

[RPI]

You cannot remain in any part of a first class carriage unless you have a first class ticket.

[Old-CodJA]

We all know how difficult it can be on packed commuter services, but the rule is clear and as others have said, you cannot travel in a First Class carriage using a Standard Class ticket unless given specific authority by the on-train staff.

 

At worst, standing in First Class without a first class ticket and ignoring an instruction to leave, or failing to pay the appropriate fare if requested can lead to prosecution of a strict liability offence contrary to National Railway Byelaw 19 (2005)

[Consumer dude]

I sat in a first class once when no seats were available in standard. It seemed wise on the grounds of safety to do do..

[Old-CodJA]

I sat in a first class once when no seats were available in standard. It seemed wise on the grounds of safety to do do..

 

Unfortunately that does not negate the liability in terms of the legislation in force. Travellers standing on busy Buses & Trains are accepted as normal practice.

 

If the traveller is asked to pay and fails, or refuses, to quit the carriage in these circumstances, the Magistrates will convict if a breach of Byelaw 19 is charged.

[Consumer dude]

I would be guided by the inspector as to where it would be safe in that case..

[mrbigjase]

I worked for southern trains,and first class was often referred to as the 'crumple zone',as first class was often at either the front/rear section of the train!

[Consumer dude]

You cannot remain in any part of a first class carriage unless you have a first class ticket.

 

Unless your the inspector. lol..

[firstclassx]

I would be guided by the inspector as to where it would be safe in that case..

 

In the event of a collision or derailment, it is actually safer to be on an absolutely packed train then on an empty one. People cannot be thrown around, which, usually, is the main cause of injury.

 

In any event, the Inspector would correctly guide you to the platform, to await the next train or offer you an opportunity to upgrade your class of travel, and arrive at your destination in additional comfort.