Part of Advance ticket cancelled : Any compensation?

[swaldman]

I have had an Advance ticket booked for some time from Hull to Oxshott. It's not on a strike day or adjacent to one, and so I thought I was safe because two weeks notice of strikes is required.

But this morning, my ticket retailer emailed me to say that SWR had cancelled the service from Waterloo to Oxshott. I went to their website and couldn't find any clear info, but eventually figured out from timetable sites that there are no longer any trains that day from Waterloo to Oxshott. SWR mention on their website that that day they are running a "reduced timetable" due to industrial action, and "reduced timetable" appears to mean for this line "no trains" (there are no strikes, so I guess this is an ongoing ASOS-type dispute?)

Now as it happens, this being densely-packed commuter-land, the trains to Leatherhead (about 4 miles away) are still running and I can get a relative to drive to pick me up there. I imagine that despite it being an Advance, SWR would allow its use to an alternate destination within their network when there are no trains to the booked one. Hopefully?

As this is a short distance and only a minor inconvenience I probably won't do anything about it. But it could have been a much bigger deal. I understand that I could choose not to travel and cancel my ticket for a refund. But if I don't do that, is there any compensation payable for some but not all of an Advance journey running? After all, the TOC is failing to deliver on the service that I have paid for.

For that matter, if I arrive in Oxshott more than half an hour after the time on my original ticket, could I delay repay it? The original train doesn't exist on the day-ahead timetable, but neither does any other train!

Thanks

 

[Adam Williams]

I imagine that despite it being an Advance, SWR would allow its use to an alternate destination within their network when there are no trains to the booked one. Hopefully?

I don't believe there's any contractual entitlement to this, as it's not the same as the right under NRCoT section 28.2. You could ask, and hope for some pragmatism.

On paper the TOC should be providing you with alternative means of travel to your destination, or overnight accommodation.

I understand that I could choose not to travel and cancel my ticket for a refund. But if I don't do that, is there any compensation payable for some but not all of an Advance journey running? After all, the TOC is failing to deliver on the service that I have paid for.

I don't think there's any applicable concrete compensation scheme here, but you should ask the TOC what they can do under these circumstances and see if they'll make a "goodwill" payment.

For that matter, if I arrive in Oxshott more than half an hour after the time on my original ticket, could I delay repay it? The original train doesn't exist on the day-ahead timetable, but neither does any other train!

I think this is a grey area. Some folks on the forum would argue that delay repay is still payable when the journey is completed, but e.g. the last leg had to be carried out outside of the railway system (e.g. by getting a lift or driving). I have my doubts. Some would argue that this could count as an abandoned journey, as you have "begun your journey but are unable to complete [via rail] it due to a delay to, or cancellation of, your service" - I don't believe there is a requirement to return to the point of origin, but you are permitted to.

 

[skyhigh]

I went to their website and couldn't find any clear info, but eventually figured out from timetable sites that there are no longer any trains that day from Waterloo to Oxshott. SWR mention on their website that that day they are running a "reduced timetable" due to industrial action, and "reduced timetable" appears to mean for this line "no trains" (there are no strikes, so I guess this is an ongoing ASOS-type dispute?)

What date are you travelling? It's possible the amended timetable hasn't been fully uploaded yet, which is why websites are showing no services.

 

[swaldman]

What date are you travelling? It's possible the amended timetable hasn't been fully uploaded yet, which is why websites are showing no services.

23rd Dec.