Compensation package agreed for hard hit rail commuters

A compensation package has been agreed for passengers affected by the delays on rail services in the region.

But Transport for the North say more should be done compensate season ticket holders in the worst affected areas.
The costs of the package will be met in full by the industry, and passengers will start receiving payments from early next month.

The deal with the Department for Transport recommends that:

Season ticket holders in the areas worst affected by extended rail disruption receive compensation equivalent to the cost of four weeks’ worth of travel

Season ticket holders in other areas affected since the timetable change on 20th May receive compensation equivalent to the cost of one week’s worth of travel

A marketing campaign be funded to promote areas where tourism has been severely affected by rail disruption

Travellers on Northern services on routes in Lancashire, Cumbria and Greater Manchester have suffered disruption for months due to delays to improve the line between Manchester and Blackpool and many cancellations and delays following the implementation of a new timetable on 20 May.

Weekly, monthly and annual season ticket holders who held tickets for the period affected will receive a refund equivalent to the cost of four weeks’ travel.

Season ticket holders on both Northern and TransPennine Express services on the worst affected routes elsewhere in the North who have suffered disruption since the introduction of the new May timetable will receive a refund equivalent to a week’s worth of travel.

The package will also include a marketing campaign to promote tourist hotspots such as the Lake District and Blackpool which have been badly affected by the rail disruption.

The compensation will be delivered directly by the train operating companies.

This compensation is on top of the pre-existing delay repay scheme and will also apply to season ticket holders who hold multi-modal travel tickets.

John Cridland, chairman of Transport for the North, said: “We know that the past few months have been very frustrating for many northerners, with those who regularly travel by train being heavily affected.
“The Transport for the North board has been pressing the rail industry to adequately compensate those who have suffered the most. I’m delighted that we are now able to start doing this but there is still more work to be done.

“Compensation for season ticket holders will be administered directly by the train operating companies, with Northern and TransPennine Express due to announce details of how people can claim very soon.”

Rail Minister Jo Johnson said: “Rail passengers have experienced unacceptable disruption and, while we have started to see some improvements, many people are still not getting the service they expect.

“We are doing everything we can alongside Transport for the North and Northern to improve the service, but it is absolutely right that passengers should be compensated for the disruption they have suffered.

“This comprehensive package, together with the steps we are taking to get services running and the independent inquiry we announced earlier in the month, should go some way towards putting right the problems we’ve seen.”