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Not allowed to upgrade train ticket

Hello!

Last week I was returning from a business meeting on a Brighton to London train. I had a standard ticket but the carriage I was in had a screaming baby and annoying kids, so I decided to go into the first class section and upgrade.

When the ticket inspector came round and I asked to upgrade he refused to let me, and fined me for sitting in the wrong area.

Surely this isn't fair? Aren't you allowed to upgrade on the train itself??

Comments

  • wealdroam
    wealdroam Posts: 19,180 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    So you were already sitting in the First Class section with a Standard Class ticket when the ticket inspector caught you?

    I can see why the ticket inspector acted in the manner he did, can't you?

    You might like to read what National Rail Enquiries has to say on Upgrade to First Class.

    An extract...
    You can upgrade your ticket to First Class at any time before you board the train. Please be aware that buying a ticket on the train when you had the opportunity to buy beforehand may leave you liable to a Penalty Fare.
  • mattyprice4004
    mattyprice4004 Posts: 7,492 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 21 May 2013 at 12:38AM
    First you want a full deposit back despite cancelling, now you plonk yourself wherever you want on a train and take exception when fined?

    You need a reality check in all honesty. One of the two threads, fair enough. But both? You're either trolling, or on a magical cloud over cuckoo-land.

    Next week - "I got caught by the Police for having no insurance, and they wouldn't let me buy it at the roadside. Can they do this??"
  • McKneff
    McKneff Posts: 38,857 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    So you only decided to aks to upgrade AFTER you got caught.

    Give over...............
    make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
    and we will never, ever return.
  • mattyprice4004
    mattyprice4004 Posts: 7,492 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    McKneff wrote: »
    So you only decided to aks to upgrade AFTER you got caught.

    Give over...............

    Search his other posts, I dare you!
  • LexyBoy
    LexyBoy Posts: 80 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10 Posts Combo Breaker
    To be fair to the OP, it is not clear cut as many operators allow upgrades on board with no penalty (e.g. FGW and I think Virgin) whilst others will penalty fare or prosecute for trying to.

    Basic rule is, if it's a suburban service, and especially one with no guard, then you can't; if it's an intercity service then you probably can but best ask the guard before plonking yourself in first.
  • cookie365
    cookie365 Posts: 1,809 Forumite
    The signs in the first class area on Southern trains are pretty clear that you need to buy a first class ticket before you sit in first class.
  • Humphrey10
    Humphrey10 Posts: 1,859 Forumite
    wealdroam wrote: »
    So you were already sitting in the First Class section with a Standard Class ticket when the ticket inspector caught you?

    I can see why the ticket inspector acted in the manner he did, can't you?
    I can't. I've always been allowed to upgrade. It wouldn't even cross my mind that this wouldn't be allowed, I would be gobsmacked if it wasn't.

    Although it's only ever been long distance trains with at seat service and lots of train crew (= they know I obviously intend to pay, because I know I will see (and be seen by) at least one member of train crew). Maybe trains like Southern are different - maybe they don't always have ticket inspectors?
  • Humphrey10 wrote: »
    I can't. I've always been allowed to upgrade. It wouldn't even cross my mind that this wouldn't be allowed, I would be gobsmacked if it wasn't.

    Although it's only ever been long distance trains with at seat service and lots of train crew (= they know I obviously intend to pay, because I know I will see (and be seen by) at least one member of train crew). Maybe trains like Southern are different - maybe they don't always have ticket inspectors?

    They dont.They do have revenue inspectors and on some services train guards who can sell tickets and the like but all depends where you are going as to what provision is there.

    They also run a penalty fare scheme which sets out the passengers responsibilities with regards to having the correct ticket before boarding the train. And in this instance the OP was in the wrong and got caught.
    "If you no longer go for a gap, you are no longer a racing driver" - Ayrton Senna
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