Booked train short formed, what are my options?

[DanNCL]

I have an advance ticket for a CrossCountry service from Leeds to Newcastle later this evening that is short formed (4 coaches instead of 7), in the event that I’m unable to board it because it’s too busy for social distancing, would I be able to use my advance ticket on the following XC service, and if so would I be entitled to delay repay, or am I basically stuffed if my booked train is too busy?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Watershed]

I have an advance ticket for a CrossCountry service from Leeds to Newcastle later this evening that is short formed (4 coaches instead of 7), in the event that I’m unable to board it because it’s too busy for social distancing, would I be able to use my advance ticket on the following XC service, and if so would I be entitled to delay repay, or am I basically stuffed if my booked train is too busy?

Thanks in advance.

Some operators have specifically said that you should board the next train and claim Delay Repay if it's too busy to socially distance but you could have physically boarded. I don't think XC have said that, but you could ask them (e.g. on Twitter).

As social distancing is merely guidance and not law, strictly speaking I don't see how you can claim unless you missed the train on the instruction of TOC staff.

 

[miklcct]

Some operators have specifically said that you should board the next train and claim Delay Repay if it's too busy to socially distance but you could have physically boarded. I don't think XC have said that, but you could ask them (e.g. on Twitter).

As social distancing is merely guidance and not law, strictly speaking I don't see how you can claim unless you missed the train on the instruction of TOC staff.

Assume there is no social distancing. What's my right if the train is on time, but fully packed that I can't physically squeeze in (e.g. with 6 standing passengers per m2), or the captain deems that the train is dangerously overloaded and forces people off the train?

 

[DanNCL]

Reply from XC on Twitter was “speak to the TM” which wasn’t terribly helpful as it won’t achieve anything but nonetheless it’s what I’ll do should the train turn up overcrowded. I’ll keep the thread updated with what happens.

 

[Fawkes Cat]

Assume there is no social distancing. What's my right if the train is on time, but fully packed that I can't physically squeeze in (e.g. with 6 standing passengers per m2), or the captain deems that the train is dangerously overloaded and forces people off the train?

Then you can't board the train - just as much as if it was cancelled. Wait for the next one, and claim Delay Repay - although realistically you may have to argue with some train companies to get your DR as their records will show that your booked train ran.

 

[DanNCL]

Assume there is no social distancing. What's my right if the train is on time, but fully packed that I can't physically squeeze in (e.g. with 6 standing passengers per m2), or the captain deems that the train is dangerously overloaded and forces people off the train?

Then you can't board the train - just as much as if it was cancelled. Wait for the next one, and claim Delay Repay - although realistically you may have to argue with some train companies to get your DR as their records will show that your booked train ran.

I’m not looking forward to this possibility. If it’s too busy to board I‘ll take a photo to show it was too busy so that I can send that off to XC to back up the resulting delay repay claim, but I’m still worried if I am unable to board that I won’t get anything back from them, at least not without an argument.

Hopefully it’ll be a non issue, but sadly I doubt that’ll be the case.

 

[APT618S]

I had this a few weeks ago when a 4 car Voyager turned up instead of a 7 coach HST.
There were free seats if you sat next to strangers, some people did, some remained standing in the vestibules.
The train manager apologised for the situation and announced that people could get the next train (presumably ~1hr wait) if they wanted to. Nor could they/would they force people to allow strangers to sit next to them.
Nobody was denied boarding.
Loading was perhaps equivalent to the total number of seats in the Voyager, at least in Std class, if all the seats had been used.

 

[DanNCL]

The train has turned up with enough space to board whilst maintaining social distancing, honestly wasn’t expecting this to happen considering how busy this service normally is but I’m not complaining!

Thanks for all the replies on this thread. Whilst I wasn’t delayed I hope that the replies this thread has had, along with any replies that may be posted later, are helpful if anyone else finds themselves in a situation where the booked train turns up too busy to board.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I believe the HST developed a fault which required it to go to Plymouth Laira depot for attention, so it was swapped to form 16:42 Birmingham New Street to Plymouth, with the Voyager which should have been on the 16:42 forming your train as a result.