Pendolino has first class carriage converted to standard

[Rail Announcement]

Virgin Pendolino 390050 has become the first of its class to have coach G converted to standard class.

The work is being done at Oxley depot and is being carried out at the rate of one train per week. It is envisaged that all of the 21 sets due to have the conversion work carried out will be in passenger service by September.

['CHARD]

Thank goodness.  Every morning that a /0 rolls into New Street the collective groan from the waiting sardines echoes through downtown Birmingham.  In the evening I actively miss services formed of 9-car sets due to the crowding in Standard class.  Woe betide that a peak service to the West Midlands with first stop Milton Keynes is formed of a /0.  Forget it.

 

Clearly it makes business sense, or VT wouldn't be doing it, but it makes joined-up railway sense too, for a change.  Bring it on.

[Edwin_m]

Is this a commercial decision or a condition of their direct award?  I was under the impression that more money could be made from First than Standard on London intercity routes, even allowing for the lower occupancy especially outside the peaks.  However this might have changed with so many companies trading down to cheaper tickets. 

[asmay2002]

Finally Virgin have realised that hauling empty first class carriages around was pointless!  What will occur to them in another 20 years time?