Will they let me sit in first class on busy trains?

Question

Ok, I have severe claustrophobia, it never effects me other than when I am in extremely tight places. Trains being one of them, once or twice I have been stood on a train unable to move wedged in between 20 odd other people and have my problem occur. What happens is I go blind for about 10 seconds, then go deaf then I pass out. I travel alone on the trains and this is frightening and horrible to happen! I often have to wait for several trains to go past (taking about an hour) before I can board one where I wouldn't have a problem. I usually plan ahead but when the train company has delays which last an hour, I can't get on a train for another hour due to the backlog of people. This train company has been on the news due to the bad circumstances of crowding lately. Do you think they'd allow me to sit in first class (NO ONE is ever in there, it's literally a 10 seat box, nothing special) if I got in contct with them and explained my situation? Or would they tell me to go away?! Trains are an essential part of my job, I use them once a week.

Thanks :)

Answer 1

Provided you have a note from a qualified medical person, who has assessed you to have claustrophobia, i see no reason for you to be admitted to 1st class. The disabled are given priority if the trains are crowded.

Maybe you should do a nice big f**t just after the doors have closed, and then everyone might move away from you!

Answer 2

maybe

Answer 3

I don't know about other countries, but in the UK, the answers is generally a resounding "no", unless you purchase a first class ticket.

There have been similar cases in the press, and the train operating companies argue that you must have a valid ticket for the class in which you are travelling.

The following BBC news story illustrates the situation:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex...

Answer 4

If you are in the UK, sadly this answer is 'no' whatever your condition. You can only sit in 1st class if you have a 1st class ticket.

Answer 5

of course my mom and I always sit there because no one is their and because has severe problems like you it was so bad we had to come off the train... you know what might help as well have your own personal stereo and open the window by you works great for my mom and also bring. Book and when they check your ticket they won't say anything because no ones  really in there so yeah do it!

Answer 6

most likely they will ask to see a sort of doctors note explaining this situation so they know your just not sick of all the crowded people, like everyone else, and making up lies.

but if you got in touch with the people and had your doctor explain it to them as well i dont see why it would be a problem.

Answer 7

If you have a documented condition, I think you may be able to somehow qualify for a seat in first at no additional charge, as you say, the clause is there to help in situations such as yours.

Answer 8

Not a hope in h**l!

Answer 9

It used to be (in British Rail days) that if you had a 2nd class ticket and  there were no seats available in 2nd class, you could sit in the 1st class at the discretion of the Guard, until a seat became available in 2nd class, in which case you would have to move to the 2nd class seat.

I don't know what the situation is now, because the trains are operated by independent companies and each has their own policy.

Best contact the Train Operating Company you normally use and ask them if this is still the case.

Answer 10

Just want to say, I am also suffer from severe claustrophobia, and I understand exactly although many others do not.So I guess my answer is try to do what you can, see if there is something in the disabilities act that would allow you some sort of pass,(a note from your doctor would be required).I quit going to the theatre and concerts years ago because of this symptom. Good Luck.

Answer 11

yes you can sit first class anyone can you have to buy a first class ticket slightly more expensive

Answer 12

To sit in first class you must have a valid 1st class ticket, the only other way to sit in there is if the Train Manager or Condutor (depending on service) has told you to go in there (normally due to disabelled, problem, etc). If you are caught inside 1st class without a valid ticket you could face a fine of up to £2000.

As for the clause inside terms and conditions, this is during exceptional circumstances at the decision of the Company Concerned, therefore the penalty still applies. Also if you look at the rest of the clause, as long as a full fare paying customers does not require the seat, so you have to wait until the last station is passed before the train ends its journey at least.

If you are really that ill when you travel on a train service, then I would suggest you obtain a certificate from your Doctor or covering letter, call the TOC's help number and arrange a meeting with the local representative of the company (normaly the local Station Manager) and explain the situation and show the letter, if the request is deemed reasonable by the Manager they will pass on there recomendations up the chain and hopefully you will be given an easement on any ticket, provided you follow a set procedure agreed with the company.

If that fails, then I am afraid you will have to ensure you travel more outside of the peak periods on less crowded services.

Sorry I cant help anymore.

Good Luck

Answer 13

You don't say what part of the country you are from, the only way i know about getting a seat in first id if you pre book a seat in standard and this seat and no other seat is available then a seat must be found for you even if this is first class.

the problem being is as much as i can sympathise with your condition, where does it stop, people with all kind of conditions could believe that they are eligible to sit in first class, and when you have heard every excuse going on why they should sit in 1st you do get a bit sceptical, you would be amazed how many folk with ill/dead relations/pregnant/illness want to sit in 1st

If you reside in the UK why not try advance purchase tickets in 1st class, this can work out to be very cheap, especially with a railcard discount

Answer 14

No they will make you pay the difference or go back to where you were.

Answer 15

I very much doubt they will let you. I was booted out of 1st class while 8 months pregnant and told tough I had to stand. Then when my baby was a month old they double booked my seat and again I was booted out of 1st class and had to stand for 6 hours with a baby. I never use public transport these days, it costs a fortune to keep a car on the road so I might as well make use of it.

Answer 16

They would probably make you pay unless the train was very over-crowded in which case they would declassify first class and refund all the people who had paid for first class tickets and let everyone else sit in there.