Seven million passengers suffer train delays

WOEFUL A Virgin train RAIL users lost over 3.6 million plus hours in 12 months due to “significantly delayed” journeys.

Seven million travellers were hit by late services of at least 30 minutes, says watchdog Which?

Virgin Trains East Coast had the worst record with 3.7% of journeys held up between half an hour and two hours in the year to April.

Virgin Trains West Coast were next on 1.95% — though the parent company claimed: “Around 80% of delays are outside of our control.” Under the Delay Repay scheme, compensation is due for late running of 30 minutes or more. Yet there are still issues over refunds.

Alex Hayman, from Which?, said: “The progress is not good enough. The Government must press for automatic compensation to be introduced across the industry.”

Paul Plummer, from the Rail Delivery Group, admitted: “When things go wrong, it should be easy to claim any compensation due.” AGES OF THE TRAIN: PAGE 30