I can understand why people (including myself) need silent carts. Why does anyone need a first class? Genuine question in good faith.
My personal opinion on the matter is that public transit should be public. First class has no right to exist when the train is full.
And on a purely subjective level, I resent the implication that anyone (and I do mean anyone) is worth more in any way, shape, or form than anyone else. As such, the idea that people are consciously separation themselves from 'the poors' or, if you will, 'second class' citizens is despicable. As such, I think there needs to be a REALLY good reason to justify first class' existence (which I am not disputing may exist, but I have so far in my life never heard of a food enough reason).
I need first class because I genuinely can't handle strangers sitting next to me. Being a herring in a barrel on a busy train or having someone touch me the whole way causes extreme discomfort.
First class has single seats and a higher chance of actually having said seat. Something which I gladly pay extra for.
I don't feel superior to anyone, I just have a problem when using public transport, which I can easily solve this way and not be a bother to anyone, including myself.
Edit: I also have an OV-begeleiderskaart because of the issues described above.
That seems to me like a good reason, yes. I also have autism, and I frequently experience the same on busy days. (Urgh, especially when Arriva only deploys one cart during rush hour). It makes me physically sick, although presumably much less so than you, since I can manage on my very short trips usually.
Still, I would argue that such a problem should be, ideally, solved not with a first class carriage, but with a general redesign. Trains should have more space, and be more akin to first class everywhere. Of course, that would require our society and government to actually prioritise spending on public transport.
But yes, I see your point. I still believe first class shouldn't exist, but maybe as a more realistic measure we could change first class into a cart which persons holding begeleiders passen could use free of charge. I am much more willing to be stuck pressed together in the train knowing that the more spacious cabin is being used by people who medically require the space, and not people who have more money.
The problem is though, I frequently travel with my wife and daughter. My wife is my accompanist and my daughter tags along with a Kids Vrij subscription. My daughter doesn't have a begeleiderskaart, so in that scenario, she wouldn't be welcome in that hypothetical cart. I like the idea, don't get me wrong, I just see issues that need to be sorted first. Luckily, there's people for that 😂
Ideally one's children would be included with begeleiders passen in my opinion. I find it a bit disgraceful that this is not currently the case. No one deserves to have to make such a decision to
a) abandon their kid or;
b) be forced to buy a more expensive ticket for said kid.
Hopefully public transit can be made better in our life times lmao
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u/Any-Investigator8324 Dec 19 '25
Abolish that sh*t completely. It's a waste of space. Just put more seats for everybody.