Why do some commuter trains into London have First Class while the Tube does not?

Question

Why do some commuter trains into London have First Class while the Tube does not?

Answer 1

The underground is now regarded as a "Rapid transit" system in which there is no room for such frivolities. First class was abolished in 1933 when all the London electric railways except the Southern Region and the W&C line were taken over by the new London Transport. Apart from providing (and therefore wasting) extra space to provide first class accomodation, it could never be policed properly - and before all the clever ones come out with "but they do it in Paris" - I KNOW - and I don't care ! ! !

Answer 2

The Metropolitan Railway not only had 1st class sections in the pre-LT days, they also ran pullman trains!

Answer 3

The tube is really for short distances only. To my knowledge, the underground does not have on board staff other than the driver.  Who would serve your free coffee??

Who would stop the riff raff from travelling first class?

It would never work.

Answer 4

I think it's shocking, I got really nasty looks the other day when I kept asking people where the buffet car was, there was no need to be rude.

Answer 5

I don't know! It would be nice if they did. In Paris the metro has a first class compartment and it makes all the difference! I think London underground should consider it

Answer 6

In the early days there was first, second & third class departments on underground trains - when they were run by private companies.

I think that 1st class was abolished when London Underground was set up, because the jurneys were so short and as so many people use the service to set a carrage a-side would have caused even more overcrowding. so they got ride of it.

Answer 7

(1)  It isn't logical.

(2)  It would be difficult to enforce.

(3)  Since most journeys on the tube are short - barring those used by commuters from home to London proper - there would have to be a body in "first class" available to enforce the different ticket holders at all times.  Imagine a First class section from Kings Cross to Leicester Square or Picadilly Circus.  It would be absolute chaos that a "first class" is sitting empty whilst the rest of the carriage is packed like sardines.  Forget about the fact that passengers are already packed like sardines, they will forget about this and focus their attention on that empty carriage of "first class".

It just isn't feasible.

Answer 8

Because if you are travelling on the overground, sometimes you are travelling 100's of miles and you want the extra comfort, space and extras that come with first class. Also it is a lot quieter and pleasant not having to listen to peoples Ipods, Mp3's etc thumping away in the same carrage.

On the underground you are lucky if you are going to be on there for more than 10miles unless travelling towards the outer edges.

Answer 9

Because its all short distance trips and they need the space.

You need comfy seats from Edinburgh to London but you dont inside London.

Answer 10

London Underground does not have First Class Cabins as its not suitable for smaller journeys.

Only British Rail have First Class cabins as these are nroammly long distnace trains.