2016-10-13 Rail passenger compensation (Department for Transport)

2016-10-13 Delay Repay 15 - Rail Delivery Group response (Rail Delivery Group)

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date 13 October 2016
source Rail Delivery Group
type Press release

The government has announced that rail passengers will in future be able to claim compensation if their train is more than 15 minutes late.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, representing train companies, said:

“Everyone in the railway wants trains to run on time and when things go wrong we want to put them right. Passengers are getting an even better deal with improved rights and new arrangements for getting their money back.

“We know that every minute counts for passengers and we understand the argument for wanting to start the compensation clock ticking earlier, especially for commuter services. The rail industry is always ready to work with government on plans which benefit passengers.

“For longer distance services we need to recognise that passengers have much greater choice and we need to make sure that the overall fares and compensation arrangements deliver the best possible value for passengers and taxpayers.

“Train companies are paying out more in compensation for delays, and making it easier to apply for. A new nationwide campaign to raise awareness of how to claim money back for delays starts next week.”

Ends

Background:

Train companies already pay compensation in cash and passengers can now be refunded by the same method they paid to travel if they wish.
Compensation is often paid regardless of what caused the delay.
The amount of compensation paid to passengers under Passenger’s Charter/Delay Repay has more than doubled in recent years - from £12.6m in 2012/13 to £25.6m in 2014/15.
More information about claiming compensation for delays is here.

Railhub Archive ::: 2016-10-13 RDG-001