South Western Railway cancellations

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So I have been affected by cancellations - I understand these things happen.

My journey is Dorchester South - Clapham Junction - East Croydon. The 1633 service has been cancelled.

My options for a direct train to Clapham Junction are therefore 1533 and 1733. SWR confirmed I could travel on one of these trains.

I asked about a Dorchester South - Woking - Clapham Junction journey at 1613, but SWR will not confirm I can use this. "It's at the discretion of the guard".

That means that if the guard says no, I will have a wait of over an hour at Dorchester South, which is a soulless place at the best of times.

As a passenger, this is really annoying. Does anyone know how guards use their discretion?

Although it does uphold my decision to not attempt to use SWR on the same day as my connection to Scotland from Kings Cross.

 

[Towers]

I can’t imagine why your ticket wouldn’t be valid via Woking, it’s all on the same route - is it an Advance?

 

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I can’t imagine why your ticket wouldn’t be valid via Woking, it’s all on the same route - is it an Advance?

It is an Advance ticket. The xx.33 services don't stop at Woking, wonder if that's the issue?

 

[Towers]

It is an Advance ticket. The xx.33 services don't stop at Woking, wonder if that's the issue?

What exactly did SWR say when they “would not comfirm” your valid use of the 16:13?

 

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What exactly did SWR say when they “would not comfirm” your valid use of the 16:13?

"It is at the discretion of the guard".

I contacted a pal who used to work for SWT and is on a local public transport committee, he told me that's nonsense.

 

[Towers]

"It is at the discretion of the guard".

I contacted a pal who used to work for SWT and is on a local public transport committee, he told me that's nonsense.

I’d be inclined to try again and see if somebody more informed will clarify it for you. Failing that, show the guard their previous response and explain the situation, that your “booked train” doesn’t exist, and I’d be amazed if they’d say no.

 

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Will do - I can see that the 1633 train is actually being started from Bournemouth, so if they are really pedantic I can change there for the "original".

Dozens of other cancellations today - "shortage of train crew".

Wonder what's happened? GWR/Cross Country had this at the weekend.

 

[Towers]

Will do - I can see that the 1633 train is actually being started from Bournemouth, so if they are really pedantic I can change there for the "original".

Dozens of other cancellations today - "shortage of train crew".

Wonder what's happened? GWR/Cross Country had this at the weekend.

Ah, well in that case then you’ll be absolutely fine; “I’m travelling to Bournemouth to change to my booked train, which is now starting from there…”

Do SWR guards check tickets that far west? In my experience revenue duties don’t tend to happen until beyond Southampton!

 

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Ah, well in that case then you’ll be absolutely fine; “I’m travelling to Bournemouth to change to my booked train, which is now starting from there…”

Do SWR guards check tickets that far west? In my experience revenue duties don’t tend to happen until beyond Southampton!

I see the ticket checks after every station west of Bournemouth!

 

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So not a single ticket check so far but what a humdinger of a journey.

45 minutes late at Southampton, train now running fast to Waterloo.

I'm not sure if I can change at Waterloo - given that my ticket was via Clapham Junction. Despite the dsruption I don't dare risk it as the penalty fare is £100 as the autobot announcer keeps reminding me. Add to that the incessant See It Say It Sorted message, the abuse of staff will not be tolerated and staff wear CCTV (all really annoying after the second time hearing them) and I'm just totally jaded with travel these days.

However it means that I will qualify for delay reply. Could not seem to find the guard to ask about the via Waterloo option. He's on board this ten car train but don't want to leave my luggage or lose my seat by going looking.

I'm someone who thinks they are an experienced rail traveller but these days, SWR are pushing me to the coach. Incidentally, as have ScotRail.

 

[30907]

So not a single ticket check so far but what a humdinger of a journey.

45 minutes late at Southampton, train now running fast to Waterloo.

I'm not sure if I can change at Waterloo - given that my ticket was via Clapham Junction. Despite the dsruption I don't dare risk it as the penalty fare is £100 as the autobot announcer keeps reminding me. Add to that the incessant See It Say It Sorted message, the abuse of staff will not be tolerated and staff wear CCTV (all really annoying after the second time hearing them) and I'm just totally jaded with travel these days.

However it means that I will qualify for delay reply. Could not seem to find the guard to ask about the via Waterloo option. He's on board this ten car train but don't want to leave my luggage or lose my seat by going looking.

I'm someone who thinks they are an experienced rail traveller but these days, SWR are pushing me to the coach. Incidentally, as have ScotRail.

Surprised you didn't change onto your original train en route - what happened at Waterloo?

 

[Towers]

Surprised you didn't change onto your original train en route - what happened at Waterloo?

Presumably the OP missed the opportunity to catch the original train, owing to the delay?

 

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We arrived at Platform 4 at Bournemouth, the 1722 (originally 1633 from Dorchester) was actually held back so our service could leave first. A moot point as it then ran fast from Southampton Central to Waterloo, so I ended up on the blinking 1722 anyway

 

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Just got my Delay Repay. That was a fast turn around