I wonder if anyone can help, please?
In September, 2017, I travelled from Sherborne, Dorset, to Portsmouth.
I bought my ticket, a standard off-peak day return (senior rail card), at Sherborne station (South Western Railway). I had to change at Salisbury, my intention being to catch the 0933 GWR service to Portsmouth. In the event the service was cancelled due to signalling problems near Bath, and so I caught another SWR train to Southampton, where I changed again to a connecting service to Portsmouth. Due to the cancelled GWR service, I arrived for my meeting one hour later than should have been the case.
I submitted my claim on the basis of the above facts. To cut a long story short, GWR have refused to pay, their argument being, bizarrely, that I was delayed by 21’. This is not true in my case, but I think they are saying that their service, which was recorded as cancelled on the state board at Salisbury, was, in fact, only delayed, and, presumably, arrived in Portsmouth some 21’ late. This might have been the case, but, because I was told that the service was cancelled, I – and others - had left on the only available alternative - SWR - train by the time the so-called cancelled train arrived in Salisbury.
GWR also, oddly, I think, advised me to claim from SWR. This makes no sense to me, as their services were on time.
I know this is ridiculously complicated for something that common sense suggests in clearly GWR’s responsibility. It is only a relatively small sum of money, but, it is, I believe, a matter of principle.
I might be wrong, of course, and so any help/advice appreciated. Thank you.
In September, 2017, I travelled from Sherborne, Dorset, to Portsmouth.
I bought my ticket, a standard off-peak day return (senior rail card), at Sherborne station (South Western Railway). I had to change at Salisbury, my intention being to catch the 0933 GWR service to Portsmouth. In the event the service was cancelled due to signalling problems near Bath, and so I caught another SWR train to Southampton, where I changed again to a connecting service to Portsmouth. Due to the cancelled GWR service, I arrived for my meeting one hour later than should have been the case.
I submitted my claim on the basis of the above facts. To cut a long story short, GWR have refused to pay, their argument being, bizarrely, that I was delayed by 21’. This is not true in my case, but I think they are saying that their service, which was recorded as cancelled on the state board at Salisbury, was, in fact, only delayed, and, presumably, arrived in Portsmouth some 21’ late. This might have been the case, but, because I was told that the service was cancelled, I – and others - had left on the only available alternative - SWR - train by the time the so-called cancelled train arrived in Salisbury.
GWR also, oddly, I think, advised me to claim from SWR. This makes no sense to me, as their services were on time.
I know this is ridiculously complicated for something that common sense suggests in clearly GWR’s responsibility. It is only a relatively small sum of money, but, it is, I believe, a matter of principle.
I might be wrong, of course, and so any help/advice appreciated. Thank you.
