Delay Repay across 2 train operators

[callum9999]

A few weeks ago I was delayed by just over 1 hour by Southern Trains, but they rejected my Delay Repay request saying "wrong train company".

The journey started with SouthEastern and ended with Southern - but the delay was wholly with Southern Railway. Should I therefore be able to claim compensation from Southern Railway?

They also seemed to have complained to SouthEastern and for some reason, South West Trains, on my behalf who have sent me emails saying it's nothing to do with them.

 

[Ivo]

If the delay was experienced with Southern then the responsiblity for arranging the Delay Repay lies with them. They and SouthEastern tend to operate this kind of thing jointly anyway, so even if there was a case for them being correct it wouldn't matter.

 

[callum9999]

If the delay was experienced with Southern then the responsiblity for arranging the Delay Repay lies with them. They and SouthEastern tend to operate this kind of thing jointly anyway, so even if there was a case for them being correct it wouldn't matter.

Thanks for the quick reply. I guess I should just keep pestering Southern until they pay up then!

 

[Ivo]

Do be careful with what you tell them though. Outline exactly what happened and emphasise the point that the delay happened on one of their services, and if they continue to refuse to play ball, come back to us and we'll go from there.

 

[callum9999]

Do be careful with what you tell them though. Outline exactly what happened and emphasise the point that the delay happened on one of their services, and if they continue to refuse to play ball, come back to us and we'll go from there.

Thanks, I responded with the exact trains I used and said which of the trains were delayed (the Southern one) so hopefully that will get it sorted. I was just a bit put off by the fact they seem to be trying to palm it off onto SouthEastern and South West Trains!

I'll let you know how it goes.

 

[bnm]

Southern did exactly the same thing with me sometime ago, forwarding my Delay Repay to Southeastern simply because it was Southeastern on whose train I travelled last on the journey. Despite it being the preceding Southern service on which I was delayed.

My claim was also sent to SWT, despite me not using them at all on the journey in question.

Are Southern doing this deliberately to avoid paying out compensation? I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has experienced similar. Once is unfortunate, twice may be coincidence, but three times.....?

 

[Goatboy]

This seems common amongst operators - I was delayed by a London Midland train on a journey also involving First Great Western and Crosscountry. I wrote to LM explaining exactly the train involved.

They wrote back saying it was First Great Western who were responsible and they had passed it to them.

First Great Western wrote to me saying it was Crosscountry who were responsible and they had passed it to them.

Crosscountry wrote to me saying it was London Midland who were responsible and they had passed it to them.

London Midland wrote to me again enclosing some Rail Travel Vouchers (To the value of one third of my 3 in 7 day Rail Rover after a 2 hour delay).

Bizarre, but there we go!