Thameslink 'planning error' cancellations

[ballas]

I need to catch the 0503 Thameslink service from Mill Hill Broadway to Luton Airport Parkway for an 0730 flight on Tuesday, but last time I tried this back in September the service was cancelled last minute due to a 'planning error' and I ended up having to take a cab.

Looking on realtime trains at the past week, this same service was cancelled for the same reason (planning error) on the 17th, 18th and 20th. What are my chances on Tuesday and what does 'planning error' even mean? Will GTR reimburse a taxi fare if they cancel the train again?

I could wait for the 0547 which gets me to Luton Airport Parkway at 0612 (then I'll need to take the DART too)... but my gate closes at 7 so it's tight!

 

[Intercity_225]

I need to catch the 0503 Thameslink service from Mill Hill Broadway to Luton Airport Parkway for an 0730 flight on Tuesday, but last time I tried this back in September the service was cancelled last minute due to a 'planning error' and I ended up having to take a cab.

Looking on realtime trains at the past week, this same service was cancelled for the same reason (planning error) on the 17th, 18th and 20th. What are my chances on Tuesday and what does 'planning error' even mean? Will GTR reimburse a taxi fare if they cancel the train again?

I could wait for the 0547 which gets me to Luton Airport Parkway at 0612 (then I'll need to take the DART too)... but my gate closes at 7 so it's tight!

I believe it's their way of saying 'Shortage of train crew' without saying 'Shortage of train crew'. Could be wrong though.

 

[SteveHFC]

I normally find that when it says "due to a planning error" on Realtime Trains, it says "due to a shortage of train crew" on the Thameslink app.

 

[Robski]

On all 3 days mentioned the service was cancelled due to a shortage of train crew. TRUST cancellation codes (which is what you see on RTT) are not the same as public facing cancellation reasons, which are usually more descriptive.

Will GTR reimburse a taxi fare if they cancel the train again?

No, as there is a Luton train 44 minutes after.

 

[skyhigh]

On all 3 days mentioned the service was cancelled due to a shortage of train crew. TRUST cancellation codes (which is what you see on RTT) are not the same as public facing cancellation reasons, which are usually more descriptive.

Even then, RTT seems to use it's own description for codes for reasons that I've never really understood.

The cancellations in question were coded 'TI', which according to the Delay Attribution Guide mean "Train-crew rostering problem".

That makes a lot more sense than "a planning error".