Could a new law prevent the last train of the day being cancelled and replaced with a bus?

[AlterEgo]

I just feel it would be harder both morally and realistically for Rail Companies to break two laws than just the one at present

When TOCs refuse to transport or accommodate someone in line with the contract, there is already more than one law being broken. There are numerous pieces of legislation which give the passenger rights in this situation.

 

[Western Gaffer]

I just feel it would be harder both morally and realistically for Rail Companies to break two laws than just the one at present

So, according to that logic, if two are better than one, presumably three would be better than two? And four even better? Or five perhaps? Where do you draw the line?

 

[SuspectUsual]

I just feel it would be harder both morally and realistically for Rail Companies to justify breaking two laws than just the one at present

How would you phrase this law? A simple statement with no caveats that the last service must run?

If so, when that law is inevitably broken, what is the penalty and how is it enforced? Does the penalty increase for multiple failures? If the penalty is financial, in a state-owned railway what is the point?

If not, and the law has caveats, how are they phrased and who judges whether they have been correctly used when a TOC cancels the last train?

 

[Gareth1990]

So, according to that logic, if two are better than one, presumably three would be better than two? And four even better? Or five perhaps? Where do you draw the line?

There’s only so many laws people feel comfortable with braking, if ToC’s and later GBR end up breaking two laws, senior management may take notice

 

[bramling]

Moderator note: Split from

Avanti cancel last train (1/8/2026)

Avanti have emailed today to say they’ve cancelled the last train tomorrow from Euston to Birmingham, which we were due to travel on. We now have to cut our plans short to ensure we get the one before, but if Avanti had not sent the email and we turned up for our original departure time, what...

www.railforums.co.uk

Really the last train of the day should be legally protected

I agree with the sentiment, however in practice it just isn’t practicable. If there’s no driver then there’s no driver, for example.

There used to be a culture where last trains were fairly sacrosanct, that does seem to have eroded away.

 

[JonathanH]

Defining what the last train is doesn't sound like an easy matter once connections are taken into account.

Is it the last train that makes a bus connection? Probably not
Is it the last train that runs the full route?
Is it the last train that heads in a particular direction?

What is the last train on the Arun Valley tonight from Victoria?
The 2135 is the last one with a Portsmouth & Southsea portion
The 2235 is the last one with a Chichester portion, and last train beyond Horsham
The 2335 is the last train to Horsham
The 0108 is the last train to Three Bridges

Most nights they will all run, but which one is protected?

 

[Haywain]

Defining what the last train is doesn't sound like an easy matter

I think that it would be easy to do, but it won't necessarily be the latest service of an evening.

 

[Farigiraf]

Really the last train of the day should be legally protected

It'd probably be a lot easier to just properly enforce your right to be transported to your destination in the event of a cancellation. If Avanti can't even put on a replacement bus or taxi, what chances are there of reliably having a spare driver on hand to drive an otherwise-cancelled train?

 

[Peter0124]

An interesting twitter thread regarding the last Edinburgh to Milton Keynes being cancelled tonight, a route via London Kings Cross in this case seems very reasonable.

. (@joeroot____) on X

1/5 My 16:52 Edinburgh→Milton Keynes is cancelled — the announcement blames a crew shortage. There are now no direct trains to Milton Keynes. @AvantiWestCoast

x.com

 

[AlterEgo]

It'd probably be a lot easier to just properly enforce your right to be transported to your destination in the event of a cancellation. If Avanti can't even put on a replacement bus or taxi, what chances are there of reliably having a spare driver on hand to drive an otherwise-cancelled train?

Oh they *can*. The station staff often just can't be arsed. Double this when hotel accommodation is necessary.

 

[The Planner]

What about engineering works, is it cheaper to delay the works so the last train can get past if it is delayed, subsequently causing overrunning engineering works and footing the bill for that the next morning? Or just send people on a taxi / bus?

You will sometimes find that the work doesnt even take place if the start time of an overnight block gets missed.

 

[Helvellyn]

If staffing means that one train can't run, then cancel the second last service.

But you can't just move crew from one Diagram to another. A whole host of factors could come into play, such as are they even from the same depot, does it mean a return working (which might actually be the last train the other way) now gets cancelled, does it stop a unit getting to a depot for an exam, etc. That second to last service might also be pretty busy, so cancelling to run a last train (that could be quieter) actually disrupts a lot more passengers, especially if they miss last onward connections.

I have edited my previous post to include the services in question, the point is I don't agree with them making what could be the last train of the day for many people, an express purely for traincrew purposes or route retention (it goes mainline after Cambuslang). Especially when said train is the only one connecting off two London-Glasgow arrivals.

I don't know why they do it but I'm assuming its to do with traincrew route retention. Which is fine, just pick the service before.

Using last services (and first services) for this actually makes sense because journey times can be longer, it might actually be to facilitate maintenance closures more easily, fewer passengers are impacted, there is no return working to be disrupted, etc.

 

[RT4038]

It think it entirely impractical to 'legislate' to force train companies to provide a train rather than alternative transport on the last train. As has already been mentioned, there are lots of reasons why they may wish/need to do this. There is already laws in place about provision of alternative transport. A bus/coach might take an extra hour from London to Birmingham, but then the train could be equally delayed. It is one of the many jeopardies that travellers have to put up with I'm afraid.
Government now control the railways. They are not going to legislate something petty which is going to make their life difficult and (as some posters seem to dream), the provision of lots of spare staff and trains to cater for every eventuality. Dream on, it is too expensive.
What is the last train of the day? If I hold a Portsmouth-Kyle of Lochalsh ticket I think that is the 5.23am from Portsmouth to Waterloo? Bearing in mind every possible ticket origin and destination, there must be a high proportion of last trains for one journey or another.

 

[SynthD]

Much of the intent of this would be met by the PM reminding passengers and staff of the long-legislated use of taxis to get passengers to their destination. It would cost part of a speech, with instructions to the media to pick up on it.