Fares through the roof - Telegraph Government spokesmen are right to insist that third-class railway travel will not be introduced. We have got it already. For decades we were honest about it, and Britain had one of those lovable anomalies: first-class carriages and third-class, but no second. That ended in 1956. We have ended up instead with first and "standard" - which (in the same way that "satisfactory" schools are unsatisfactory) means substandard, or bog standard. Now there is talk of passengers having to pay more to get a seat. This will leave ordinary travellers worse off than in 1844, when the Railway Regulation Act stipulated that even third-class passengers should have seats - and a roof. No doubt roofs will cost extra soon. Roofless wagons will be designated "convertible" and recommended for economic staycations. Umbrellas may be hired (subject to availability).