Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their policy on the declassification of First Class rail carriages on a temporary basis during periods of very high demand; and what procedures must be followed by train operating companies in respect of passengers who have purchased First Class tickets for services which are subsequently declassified.

Declassifying First Class is a decision for operators to take. However, the Department for Transport expects operators to take into account levels of overcrowding as a result of service disruption. The conditions for refunding a first class ticket is covered under Section 31 of the National Rail Conditions of Travel. The passenger may claim a refund if the train they are travelling on declassifies First Class. The minimum refund to which the passenger will be entitled will be the difference between the price of the first class ticket purchased and the cheapest valid standard class fare available on the service used.