Automatic refunds in the UK

[emilymainzer]

Eagerly anticipated automatic refunds seem to have finally arrived in the UK.These advancements come only months after a change in policy finally scrapped railway vouchers and allowed cash as compensation payment for late trains.Should passengers expect a nationwide rollout in the near future? and is it a fair deal?

[Tony]

Hello Emily,
Don't believe everything you read. Please understand that here in the UK we have what are usually known as "Jobsworths". These people are employed as public servants but as soon as they are given a job, they see the public as "the enemy" and will do anything to stop the public from getting what any normal person would expect.
The public expectation of getting compensation will be thwarted by the jobsworths quoting some very obscure small print in the regulations such as leaves on the line (a very common problem in UK) being an Act of God etc.
Whatever you do, don't hold your breath whilst you wait for "Compo".
Regards, Tony

[Beeyar Wunby]

Now I'm more cynical than that.

I think that the TOCs will be forced to 'retime' their trains. So if a train that is booked to terminate in London at 09:30 is often up to 8 minutes late, they'll simply alter it to an 09:45 arrival. Whilst they can't alter the paths that NR allocates them, they do print their own timetables.

So in effect this becomes just another discrepancy between the WTT and published times.

Whilst a train is forbidden by the Rulebook from departing before its advertised time, AFAIAA there are no such restrictions on the time it arrives at its destination.

BW

[TrevorRail]

I'm also very sceptical about this. Has anyone had any experience in getting refunds from rail operators, here in the UK?

Sometimes we put up with shocking service and although something like this is a good idea you cant help wondering if this will ever see the light of day.

Interesting read though.

Trev.