Southern Strike - 2nd August

[les.]

I see that Southern trains have announced another 3 day strike which includes the 2nd of August.

On that date I am travelling down to my brothers in Oxted which includes a Southern service from Victoria.

Just wondering what my options will be if I get to Victoria from KX only to be told there are no trains to Oxted on that day.

Is it just, tough, make alternative arrangements to get there, or as I have a ticket to Oxted (bought about 2 months ago) do they have to honour the ticket and provide alternative transport (i.e a bus link to another station). I could get the tube to another station and then a train to a station closer to Oxted, but I don't know if any other TOC's run service to, or close to Oxted.

Also, if I don't get a train from Vic to Oxted, would I be able to claim delay repay on my ticket or is that not eligible during strikes.

Thanks in advance for any advice as to what will be my best option on the day.

 

[higthomas]

I'm not certain about alternative travel arrangements, but I think that if they cancel trains along that line they won't provide an alternative, but I'm very uncertain.

With regards alternatives, you can get a thameslink train to Redhill, and then get the bus from there to Oxted. I'd have thought they'd probably accept your ticket on the train to Redhill given the situation. You'll have to pay for the bus. You could probably claim some kind of compensation given you'd already booked your ticket before it was announced, but again I'm not sure.

 

[les.]

I'm not certain about alternative travel arrangements, but I think that if they cancel trains along that line they won't provide an alternative, but I'm very uncertain.

With regards alternatives, you can get a thameslink train to Redhill, and then get the bus from there to Oxted. I'd have thought they'd probably accept your ticket on the train to Redhill given the situation. You'll have to pay for the bus. You could probably claim some kind of compensation given you'd already booked your ticket before it was announced, but again I'm not sure.

I see that there is actually a Thameslink train that goes from St.Pancras to Redhill, which would be a lot more convenient for me as I will be arriving at KX.

IF Southern Trains are on strike and there are no trains (which I will be able to find out on the day) then would my ticket to Oxted be accepted on the St.Pancras to Redhill train does anyone know?

 

[tsr]

For serious disruption, the Redhill route is sometimes advertised as an alternative route for passengers who would usually use the stations in the Oxted area. This may not specifically be the case in this instance, but the point stands that it is reasonable and entirely normal in cases like this.

I would expect that with an explanation, the gateline staff (if the barriers are being used) would let you through. Redhill has some decent gateline staff at the moment and I know for a fact that they did a good job in the last ASLEF strike.

I'd also check (much nearer the time) if the local buses are accepting Southern tickets. Metrobus is another Go-Ahead operator and acceptance with them is usually in place quickly, but some other operators serve the area, and they sometimes agree to help out too.

Unfortunately, Southern is the sole choice of TOC at Oxted, and there are no other TOCs which directly parallel that line. Thameslink via Redhill may be the best bet.

Depending on where you're going in the Oxted area, and what your brother can assist with, it may be worth seeing if you can get a lift over in the car. The A25 runs directly between Redhill and Oxted and isn't too awkward.

 

[les.]

For serious disruption, the Redhill route is sometimes advertised as an alternative route for passengers who would usually use the stations in the Oxted area. This may not specifically be the case in this instance, but the point stands that it is reasonable and entirely normal in cases like this.

I would expect that with an explanation, the gateline staff (if the barriers are being used) would let you through. Redhill has some decent gateline staff at the moment and I know for a fact that they did a good job in the last ASLEF strike.

I'd also check (much nearer the time) if the local buses are accepting Southern tickets. Metrobus is another Go-Ahead operator and acceptance with them is usually in place quickly, but some other operators serve the area, and they sometimes agree to help out too.

Unfortunately, Southern is the sole choice of TOC at Oxted, and there are no other TOCs which directly parallel that line. Thameslink via Redhill may be the best bet.

Depending on where you're going in the Oxted area, and what your brother can assist with, it may be worth seeing if you can get a lift over in the car. The A25 runs directly between Redhill and Oxted and isn't too awkward.

Thanks for that. Yes, if I can get to Redhill then my brother would be able to pick me up.