TRAIN strikes on the South Western Railway is causing misery for thousands of commuters this week due to a long-running dispute between the company and its workers. Due to the strikes, trains are being cancelled or delayed and a bus replacement service is operating in some areas. Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union […]
TRAIN strikes on the South Western Railway is causing misery for thousands of commuters this week due to a long-running dispute between the company and its workers.
Due to the strikes, trains are being cancelled or delayed and a bus replacement service is operating in some areas.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out today over South Western Railway’s failure to satisfy their request for a guard on each train.
Industrial action was called off in February as a resolution seemed near but the union has now renewed strikes after accusing the company of dragging its heels in protracted talks over the past few months.
Luckily, commuters who are affected are still able to claim compensation for delays and cancellations.
If you’ve decided not to travel because of the disruption or you didn’t make it to your final destination, you may also be eligible for a refund.
Commuters who wish to claim money back for delayed or cancelled trains should use the Delay Repay scheme.
It is an initiative that ensures passengers whose rail trips are delayed by at least 15 minutes can claim money back.
You can also claim if you’ve missed your connection to other National Rail services because of a delay or cancellation one of South Western’s trains.
There are three ways to apply for Delay Repay with South Western Railways. You could either:
To get compensated, you’ll need to apply within 28 days of your delay and provide proof of travel and some details about your journey.
South Western Railway will then process your claim within 20 working days.
The amount you can get depends on how badly affected you were.
Those delayed by 15 to 29 minutes are entitled to 25 per cent of the cost of a single journey or 25 per cent of the value of one journey on your season ticket.
You’ll only get 12.5 per cent back on return fares.
Those hit with delays of 30 to 59 minutes will be reimbursed half the cost of a single fare and value of one season ticket journey, and only 25 per cent on a return ticket.
Anyone suffering more than an hour will be repaid the cost of their entire single journey or season ticket trip, or 50 per cent of your return fare.
Or if you’ve been delayed by two hours or more, you’ll be reimbursed the full cost for single and return fares as well as the value of one season ticket journey.
You can choose to receive the cash repaid to you via bank transfer, credit or debit card or national rail vouchers.
If you’ve decided not to travel at all due to the disruption, or if you weren’t able to make it to your destination, then you should apply for a refund of your ticket.
Be aware that some tickets, such as advance fares may not be eligible for a refund as separate terms and conditions apply to sale of these fares.
To get a refund, you must apply within 28 days of the ticket expiry.
The amount refunded will take into account any use you’ve had from your ticket, so it’ll vary from case to case.
Keep in mind South Western Railway may also charge an administration fee of £10 per refund request.
For more information and to apply, visit the train company’s website.
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