'Middle-class' carriages: Rail passengers offered 'premium economy' fares

Three classes of travel will be introduced to Britain's railways for the first time in 60 years, the chief executive of the new West Coast mainline has announced.

While previously the only options on a train have been the plush seats and a hot meal in first class or a squeeze in standard, the new trains will feature a middle tier with snacks, more legroom and faster WiFi.

Avanti West Coast, which replaced Virgin Trains on the West Coast Main Line on Sunday, is developing a premium economy-style offering, similar to that on airlines.

Avanti managing director Phil Whittingham, who previously held the same role at Virgin Trains, said: "We know there is going to be three classes. It is going to be a first class, a premium economy-type style and economy."

He said passengers in premium economy could be entitled to "the bigger seat, better wi-fi and snacks rather than a meal".

Britain has not had three tiers of seats on its trains since 1956, when trains had first class, second class and third class.

It is not known how much the new middle tier of fares would cost.

Matthew Gregory, chief executive of FirstGroup, which joint-owns the franchise with Italian firm Trenitalia, said the change in policy is "about balancing and being flexible within the train".

He went on: "Obviously first class can be quite expensive, so there are different price points between standard class and first class and it is about seeing if we can offer a more flexible offering that suits more price points."

It is likely that the new tickets will come into play when the Pendolino trains inherited from Virgin are upgraded.

First Rail managing director Steve Montgomery described the 56 trains the company inherited from Virgin Trains as “tired”.

The firm has promised to significantly improve the carriages used with a £117 million refurbishment of the Pendolinos and replacing Super Voyagers with new trains.

There will be 25,000 new seats, more reliable wi-fi and improved catering. The revamp of the trains is likely to happen by autumn 2020, and the new trains will be on the line by 2022.

FirstGroup reportedly considered introducing three classes on west coast services in its ill-fated 2012 bid for the franchise.

A year later, the Department for Transport was forced to deny it was planning to require a "third-class service" to be introduced on the East Coast Main Line, after a three-tier system was included in a leaked franchise prospectus ahead of a return to private ownership.

Rail expert Mark Smith, founder of Seat61.com, told the PA news agency: "When it comes to intercity travel, there does seem to be scope for having some extra classes, but it depends what they're doing and how they're doing it."

Cross-Channel rail operator Eurostar offers three classes of travel.

The middle class, named Standard Premier, entitles ticket holders to a larger seat where they are served a light meal and drinks.