When a stop is cancelled there should be an automatic right double back

[infobleep]

How about am automatic right to double back if your stop is cancelled?

This evening I was going to get the 17:01 from Guildford to Clapham Junction but due to train crew delays and a signalling fault, it skipped Clapham Junction.

So I got the late running 17:19 and alighted at Woking.

I then picked up the late running 17:46 from Woking, that also stopped previously at Guildford. O did this in case at the last minute they cancelled the Clapham Junction stop. They didn't so I boarded the train.

However, we then get held outside Clapham Junction as a train had broken down on platform 7. I assume current safety practice bans the use of platform 8, so we had to go to Waterloo.

I might as well have got the first train and double back but that isn't allowed. Now it will be allowed because I physically couldn't get off. So how about a blanket double back is allowed when ones stop is canceled?

I am in Waterloo an hour later and not even got to Clapham Junction. My destination had been Victoria.

 

[AlastairFraser]

How about am automatic right to double back if your stop is cancelled?

This evening I was going to get the 17:01 from Guildford to Clapham Junction but due to train crew delays and a signalling fault, it skipped Clapham Junction.

So I got the late running 17:19 and alighted at Woking.

I then picked up the late running 17:46 from Woking, that also stopped previously at Guildford. O did this in case at the last minute they cancelled the Clapham Junction stop. They didn't so I boarded the train.

However, we then get held outside Clapham Junction as a train had broken down on platform 7. I assume current safety practice bans the use of platform 8, so we had to go to Waterloo.

I might as well have got the first train and double back but that isn't allowed. Now it will be allowed because I physically couldn't get off. So how about a blanket double back is allowed when ones stop is canceled?

I am in Waterloo an hour later and not even got to Clapham Junction. My destination had been Victoria.

Yes, it is a good idea,but the problem is there is often no way inform guards on other services of such changes.

There needs to be an updated and formalised version of the endorsement system railway staff can use to permit travel.
A paper slip would be the simplest, not even with all the info to save money if they wanted - just a QR code.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd generalise that further.

Most passengers want to get somewhere quickly (or on a direct train).

As well as the shortest route and one no more than three miles longer, at all times the fastest itinerary for a given journey should always be Permitted on an Any Permitted ticket or an appropriate routed one. However break of journey should not be permitted in such cases, similar to the way it works for direct trains that wouldn't normally be Permitted, to avoid the exploitation of the anomalies it would naturally create.

Thus, if doubling back is quicker (or would reasonably be believed to be quicker in cases of disruption) it should be allowed.

 

[infobleep]

Yes, it is a good idea,but the problem is there is often no way inform guards on other services of such changes.

There needs to be an updated and formalised version of the endorsement system railway staff can use to permit travel.
A paper slip would be the simplest, not even with all the info to save money if they wanted - just a QR code.

Well, there was no way of informing staff at Waterloo that my train had skipped Clapham Junction and in fact, no one updated the journey planner to remove it so it is still showing as stopping, even now.

I took a video of us passing through but only for my own interest and not as proof.

 

[AlastairFraser]

Well, there was no way of informing staff at Waterloo that my train had skipped Clapham Junction and in fact, no one updated the journey planner to remove it so it is still showing as stopping, even now.

I took a video of us passing through but only for my own interest and not as proof.

Precisely my point. If there was a system in place for you to approach any member of staff and they print you a quick explanation slip, it would make these type of situations much easier.

 

[infobleep]

Precisely my point. If there was a system in place for you to approach any member of staff and they print you a quick explanation slip, it would make these type of situations much easier.

Well all that happens this evening was the guard apologised for the delay and explained how people would be over 15 minutes late so could claim delay repay. That was really good and proactive.

There was though no mention of how to get back to Clapham Junction if people wanted that.

 

[heathrowrail]

Depends on your ticket, some day tickets allow you to go via any permitted route including double backs. More advance tickets don't.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Depends on your ticket, some day tickets allow you to go via any permitted route including double backs. More advance tickets don't.

Double backs are mostly not permitted when following mapped routes, with a couple of exceptions.

Advances let you do what's printed on them.