Give delayed rail users money they deserve, train firms told

MINISTERS have told rail companies they should automatically give passengers compensation following delays and cancellations caused by blizzards and sub-zero temperatures.

The Daily Telegraph yesterday disclosed that train companies are pocketing huge compensation payments for disruption to their services while passengers are given far less.

Compensation for rail companies is automatic, while passengers on nearly all services are required to fill out “bureaucratic” forms as they apply for compensation on their journeys.

Between 2011 and 2017 rail companies were handed more than £2billion in compensation by Network Rail, while over the same period passengers received just £187million.

The Government wants rail companies to automatically compensate passengers instead of requiring them to fill in forms to get money back. Under the plans, which have already been piloted by Virgin and C2C, payments are processed electronically and sent straight to passengers’ bank accounts or travel cards after services are delayed.

Ministers are calling on rail companies to adopt the approach as technology advances. A Department for Transport spokesman said: “We want all passengers to get the compensation they are entitled to, and we are working with train companies to roll out new technology to help people claim, including new smartcards, smartphone apps or claiming online.

“Some passengers are harder to identify – such as those using paper tickets – but as technology improves it will be easier to ensure all passengers quickly get the compensation they deserve.”

However, MPS have called on ministers to go further by making it a legal requirement. More than 50 MPS from all parties backed proposals by Huw Merriman, a Tory, for new legislation.