Entitled to refund?

[notadriver]

A few weeks ago I observed someone cycling alongside the train on the platform as it was departing. I later found out that person had been attempting to board. What had happened was that the passenger had been smoking at the entrance to the platform. The guard told him the train was leaving but the passenger told the guard to wait whilst he finished his cigarette. The guard finished the door close procedure and the train started moving. Once the passenger realised the train was moving and he to catch it by cycling alongside it (?)

Its an hour's wait for the next train. Is the passenger entitled to a refund (if they had a ticket) and is he entitled to complain because the train didn't wait for him?

 

[dtaylor84]

I'm speechless. You can't be serious...

 

[Harlesden]

Um, why should the train wait for him - especially after the warning from the guard?
Seems totally ridiculous to me that someone smoking should expect a train to wait until he has finished smoking.
Entrance to the platform implies on the station premises where smoking is prohibited.

 

[notadriver]

I'm speechless. You can't be serious...

I'm absolutely serious. What I couldn't understand was why he was cycling along the platform next to the train.

 

[hairyhandedfool]

....Its an hour's wait for the next train. Is the passenger entitled to a refund (if they had a ticket) and is he entitled to complain because the train didn't wait for him?

Depends what they paid for the ticket and the ticket held, standard refund rules apply. They could complain, the response may not be what they expect though.

 

[jopsuk]

Of course he's not entitled to a refund. There's absolutely no requirement for a guard to hold a train because a passenger fancies a fag break.

As for his foolish and dangerous stunt of cycling along the platform next to the moving train, that sums up what an idiot this passenger appears to be.

 

[PG]

If the platform in question was completely in the open and in Scotland then AFAIK smoking would be permitted unlike in England and Wales. Anyway, technicalities aside, sounds plain daft to expect a train to wait so anyone can finish a cigarette and even dafter to cycle alongside whilst the train departed!!
As for getting a refund... :roll:

 

[jopsuk]

Note that cycling on the platform is contrary to Byelaw 15.

 

[455driver]

He missed the train because of his own stupidity, the train left on time so why should he get a refund?

 

[bb21]

I'm absolutely serious. What I couldn't understand was why he was cycling along the platform next to the train.

Well, desperate times call for desperate measures. I'm sure you've seen your fair share of stupidity at stations.

 

[yorkie]

Sounds like the sort of behaviour of what we call a "chav" to me. No refund or compensation is due, and depending on where exactly he was smoking he was possibly in breach of two bye-law offences, or perhaps just the one and being anti-social.

I don't know how the question can even be asked?

 

[notadriver]

Just belt and braces. I wanted to be sure.. Thanks for all replies.

 

[reb0118]

Why would he get a refund? He would have needed to purchase a ticket beforehand. I have no proof but I feel, somehow, that he did not.

That said if you do hold a valid ticket and do not travel due to personal reasons you are entitled to a refund subject to the current administration charge & a note from your mum!

 

[notadriver]

What if (all other things aside) he claimed that the train doors were deliberately closed on him while he was running for the train ?

 

[reb0118]

Sack the guard!

 

[ainsworth74]

What if (all other things aside) he claimed that the train doors were deliberately closed on him while he was running for the train ?

If the train left on time and not early he still doesn't have an argument (if it left early then perhaps he does have a case). Holding a train for someone running for it is discretionary at best certainly I don't see it as being mandatory. If it was many services would never run on time!

 

[bb21]

Sack the guard!

That's a great idea. The guard should be sacked on the spot, and the train can be cancelled (and its return working).

 

[island]

Its an hour's wait for the next train. Is the passenger entitled to a refund (if they had a ticket) and is he entitled to complain because the train didn't wait for him?

I'm not sure whether this is a serious question, but if the passenger had a walk-up ticket costing over £10 and decided to abandon his journey, he could get a refund in the usual way.

If he complains, I hope he is prosecuted for breaching the byelaws

 

[yorkie]

Sack the guard!

Quite likely to be a driver only operation (DOO) service, as the Train Company in question is probably Southeastern

I agree with others; if the train didn't leave early there isn't a case.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

What I couldn't understand was why he was cycling along the platform next to the train.

I was surprised to be told that platform staff will permit cycling in certain circumstances. As most of you will know, East Coast only operate 2 types of trains, they're both very long, but the cycle storeage is at opposite ends. In the event that a set is swapped at short notice for the opposite type without platform staff being appriased of the change, a cyclist at an intermediate station may find the need to get from one end of the train to the other in a very short period of time. If this happens on either of the island platforms 3 & 4 in Newcastle, and the other platform is quiet, then staff will permit a cyclist to cycle with caution from to the opposite end of the platform in an effort to avoid delays while avoiding to risk to other passengers through radio communication between platform staff along the length of the station.

Note that cycling on the platform is contrary to Byelaw 15.

"Except ii) where an Operator or an authorised person has given permission,"

 

[trainophile]

I'm not sure whether this is a serious question, but if the passenger had a walk-up ticket costing over £10 and decided to abandon his journey, he could get a refund in the usual way.

If he complains, I hope he is prosecuted for breaching the byelaws

I thought that only applied before the train had departed? Can't understand anyway why someone would "walk up" and buy a ticket, then immediately decide not to get on the train :?.

You'd think that knowing he had a bike to load and find room for he would have made every effort to be at the train doors in good time.

Finally, what did he intend to do as and when he reached the end of the platform on his bike?

If this is a genuine scenario there are some weird people around .

 

[sheff1]

I thought that only applied before the train had departed?

If you have a walk up ticket then, in most circumstances, there is no such thing as 'the' train.

Can't understand anyway why someone would "walk up" and buy a ticket, then immediately decide not to get on the train :?.

I have done this twice, although 'immediately' was about 5 & 15 mins after purchase. I went back to the booking office and obtained a full refund in both cases.

 

[PermitToTravel]

Finally, what did he intend to do as and when he reached the end of the platform on his bike?

This

 

[trainophile]

This

Might knock some sense into him .



sheff1 you are of course quite right - as I invariably travel on Advance tickets there is always "the" train, but for those of more affluent (or less organized, depending you your viewpoint) means, their ticket does not restrict them to a particular train. I believe some types of ticket even allow a four-day window for outward travel, which I find a bit confusing .

 

[yorkie]

...but for those of more affluent (or less organized, depending you your viewpoint) means, their ticket does not restrict them to a particular train.....

In some cases, Advance tickets would only be used by people who are both more affluent and less organised, because they cost more than walk-up tickets! In many more cases, they introduce huge risks for only minimal saving.

I believe some types of ticket even allow a four-day window for outward travel, which I find a bit confusing .

Anytime tickets are valid out 5 days, return 1 month. There's nothing confusing about that, surely?

 

[hairyhandedfool]

I thought that only applied before the train had departed? Can't understand anyway why someone would "walk up" and buy a ticket, then immediately decide not to get on the train :?.....

Ticket holders have 28 days to claim a refund on unused tickets.

Previous threads, on varying subjects, have illustrated that some forum members believe "many" people change their travel plans whilst on the train, so changing them before travel is obviously going to be 'very likely'.

Tickets returned for non-use within 10 mins of issue is a daily occurrence at some stations.