Rail hell compo gets Go-Ahead

Firm forking out to 30,000 customers

TRAIN and bus firm Go-Ahead is set to pay out “millions” in compensation to disgruntled customers after botching new rail timetables.

The bungled changes in May led to eight weeks of widespread cancellations and delays, mainly affecting its Great Northern and Govia Thameslink (GTR) franchises.

Now Go-Ahead chief David Brown has revealed the transport group – which was hit by a deluge of complaints – has begun getting in touch with the tens of thousands of passengers affected, offering compensation.

Mr Brown admitted: “We’ve contacted over 30,000 people to date to tell them they are eligible. We will end up paying millions.

“There will be no cap to it and I expect the first million to be reached fairly quickly. Y

“You do get difficulties with change and we hope people recognise that.” He said he was “very sorry” for what happened.

The company – which despite the chaos yesterday managed to post a 6.5% rise in annual profits to £145.7million – could yet face action by the Department for Transport as the fiasco saw it breach some of its contractual performance targets. This may include the termination of its contract. But Mr Brown vowed to contest any penalties. He added: “It was a systemic industry failure and the biggest timetable change for a generation. We are all mortified by it, but we are getting it right now.”

Overall, Go-Ahead’s rail division saw operating profits drop 25.7% to £44.5 million. This was mainly due to the recent loss of the London Midland franchise as well as the troubles at GTR.

Elsewhere, the group said it was expanding internationally with a new bus contract in Ireland and rail deals in Germany.

We will end up paying millions