Student fined for sitting in wrong part of Thameslink train

Theo Griffiths, 19, from Boston, Lincs, was given a penalty fare of £129.50 while travelling on a Thameslink train to London Kings Cross after sitting in the front of the train.

The university student, who also has a job, had commuted three hours from Boston to London, after deciding he wanted to go to the office to see colleagues.

Despite holding a standard ticket, Theo assumed he could use first-class seating on the “very full” train, having previously seen messages that the area may be used.

However, according to Thameslink policy, this only applies to the first-class carriages in the rear of the train, not the front.

Theo said: “The guard was very rude and hostile. Others who also got fined argued back, they got £100 and £150 fines.

“He couldn’t even answer me when I asked if the 21-day reduced penalty period paused if you appealed – he said he didn’t know.

“I should be able to scrape a bit from savings to pay, but it’s still entirely disproportionate.

“I was commuting from Boston, I have to drive over an hour to get to the train station to even be able to get to London.

“I travel by train as it’s too long of a distance to drive, and I’d rather be productive.”

The passenger took to X (formerly Twitter) to try to resolve his complaint.

He asked the company to “explain the difference from sitting in the back first class, where it’s allowed, to the front.”

Photograph of sign was taken on board a different train in the correct section of train. (Image: SWNS)

Thameslink responded: “Hi Theo, are you able to advise where you boarded the train, what time and direction please? 

“If the front, first-class facilities were in action and you didn’t hold a first-class ticket then travelling in this portion of the train could result in a penalty fare.”

According to ThamesLink’s website, the first class compartment at the rear of ThamesLink trains is “always declassified”.

This change was made when the trains entered service in 2016, with the operator feeling the proportion of first-class seating was too great, compared with when the trains were specified in 2008.

However, this does not apply to the front of the train.

Additionally, some of the operator’s trains do not operate with first class at all.

When contacted for comment, the Department for Transport said the issue was “a matter for the train operator”.

A spokesperson for Govia Thameslink Railway said: “Rear first class compartments on Thameslink trains have been declassified since they entered service in 2016, to create more space for customers with regular tickets. 

“We advertise this on the digital displays on board the train as well as on platform screens. 
 
“In line with the National Rail Conditions of Travel, if someone is travelling in first class with a standard class ticket then they may be subject to a Penalty Fare. 

“This is £100 plus the price of the full single fare applicable for the intended journey, reduced to £50 plus the price of the single fare if paid with 21 days.

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“No-one would think they were not in a first class compartment. It is clearly signposted both on the outside and inside of the carriage. 

“Our station platform train describer boards also clearly state where first class is situated. 

“The compartments also look very different and they are separated from the rest of the carriage by a door.”