Outbound portion abandoned, inbound train cancelled

[trover]

I’m sure most of us agree that when the outbound train is cancelled, a passenger is entitled to a refund for the return ticket, including both the outbound and inbound portions.

What if a passenger abandon their outbound portion for a cause not caused by the railway, and make their way to the destination, then decides not to travel inbound because the inbound train is cancelled? Are they entitled to a full refund, including both the outbound and inbound portion?

I have two approaches to this question, and each leads to a different answer:
Yes, because a full refund is given for a journey involving two legs, when the second leg is cancelled and the passenger decides not to travel.
No, because the cancellation of the inbound train isn’t the reason for the abandonment of the outbound portion. The outbound portion was surrendered.

The situation is hypothetical, can someone shed some light? Cheers.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'd say 50% refund.

 

[Haywain]

I'd say 50% refund.

Me too.

 

[trover]

I'd say 50% refund.

Me too.

Any specific reason behind? I was thinking — the passenger actually didn’t use the railway at all, similar to the passenger whose outbound train is cancelled and decides not to travel.

Although the latter is forced to abandon the return portion as they’re physically absent at the origin of the return portion, the former is also forced to abandon one of the two legs of their journey and therefore is still entitled to 100% refund under Condition 30.1 of NRCoT.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Any specific reason behind? I was thinking — the passenger actually didn’t use the railway at all, similar to the passenger whose outbound train is cancelled and decides not to travel.

Although the latter is forced to abandon the return portion as they’re physically absent at the origin of the return portion, the former is also forced to abandon one of the two legs of their journey and therefore is still entitled to 100% refund under Condition 30.1 of NRCoT.

Assuming the ticket wasn't scanned (in which case it'll prove difficult) the passenger could choose a full refund minus admin fee if that was advantageous, which it would be were the ticket over £20. But they're not entitled to a fee free refund of the outward because they chose not to travel, it wasn't because of disruption.

 

[Haywain]

Is it a return ticket or a pair of singles? If it's a return then, as stated above, a full refund could be requested but I can't see why an admin fee wouldn't be applied. If it's a pair of singles then the outward would be either lost or subject to an admin fee depending on whether it is refundable. In either case, it is my view that failing to make the outward journey in the circumstances you describe would be of any concern to the railway.

 

[MrJeeves]

Or if it's a period return and the cancellation hasn't taken place before the outward journey was due to start, there's no way a cancellation after that could allow for a refund out the outward portion retrospectively.