Can I claim back cost of underground ticket?

[al78]

I've just have a rather eventful commute this morning. Traveled Horsham to Farringdon but trains not running through Redhill due to a points failure, so 7:55 Thameslink service cancelled and Victoria service rerouted along the Mole Valley line stopping only at Clapham Junction and Victoria. After seeking advice I got the 7:50 Victoria train with the intention of getting to Blackfriars via the Central line, from there it is an easy journey to Farringdon. When I got to the Central Line barriers at Victoria I was not allowed through without buying a ticket despite my explanation that I was only using this route due to major disruption (My original tickets were not valid on the underground). Am I allowed to claim back the cost of the underground ticket and if so, how do I do it as there is no facility on the delay-repay form for this situation?

 

[Wolfie]

I've just have a rather eventful commute this morning. Traveled Horsham to Farringdon but trains not running through Redhill due to a points failure, so 7:55 Thameslink service cancelled and Victoria service rerouted along the Mole Valley line stopping only at Clapham Junction and Victoria. After seeking advice I got the 7:50 Victoria train with the intention of getting to Blackfriars via the Central line, from there it is an easy journey to Farringdon. When I got to the Central Line barriers at Victoria I was not allowed through without buying a ticket despite my explanation that I was only using this route due to major disruption (My original tickets were not valid on the underground). Am I allowed to claim back the cost of the underground ticket and if so, how do I do it as there is no facility on the delay-repay form for this situation?

Do you mean the Circle or District line? The Central line doesn't go through Victoria.

Turning to the substantive issues, unless you were told that ticket acceptance was in place on the Underground (which would be highly unusual) you cannot reclaim the cost of the ticket purchased.

 

[transportphoto]

There is no harm in writing to Govia Thameslink Railway and asking the question - the question being whether they’d kindly consider reimbursing the additional cost.

 

[al78]

Do you mean the Circle or District line? The Central line doesn't go through Victoria.

Turning to the substantive issues, unless you were told that ticket acceptance was in place on the Underground (which would be highly unusual) you cannot reclaim the cost of the ticket purchased.

Sorry yes, I meant the Circle line.

 

[Belperpete]

After seeking advice I got the 7:50 Victoria train with the intention of getting to Blackfriars via the Central line, from there it is an easy journey to Farringdon. When I got to the Central Line barriers at Victoria I was not allowed through without buying a ticket despite my explanation that I was only using this route due to major disruption (My original tickets were not valid on the underground).

Who did you get advice from? Did you make them aware that your ticket was not valid on the underground? And what exactly was the advice you got?

 

[greatkingrat]

https://twitter.com/nationalrailenq/status/1861322503664148578

Ticket acceptance with London Underground was in place this morning so your ticket should have been accepted.

 

[al78]

Who did you get advice from? Did you make them aware that your ticket was not valid on the underground? And what exactly was the advice you got?

When I heard of the problem (points failure near Redhill and diversion of trains via Dorking) I went into the waiting room where there was a member of staff and asked them for the best way to get to Farringdon. He said to get on the Victoria train and take the Circle line to Blackfriars, then a Thameslink to Farringdon. I asked whether I would be allowed to use the underground as my ticket is not valid on the underground normally and he said in a convincing way they will let me through.

When I got to the Circle line barriers at Victoria I asked a member of staff whether I could get though the barriers given the disruption and alternative route I had to take. She said no because control had not told them to authorise ticket acceptance from other companies. I had to buy a single tube ticket from Victoria to Blackfriars. I felt it was a bit harsh to have to pay extra to circumvent disruption caused by a fault with the infrastructure, but also wondered if I was expected to get off at Clapham, go back south to East Croydon and get a Thameslink train from there, hence why I have asked the question on here.

As I had my folding bike with me, I almost exited at Victoria and cycled the two and a half miles to the office but I know the roads through the core of London are horrendous even with the ability to filter on a bike, so decided on the tube option because it would very likely get me there quicker.

 

[30907]

Ticket acceptance with London Underground was in place this morning so your ticket should have been accepted.

And therefore you should ask for the money from TfL.

 

[bakerstreet]

https://twitter.com/nationalrailenq/status/1861322503664148578

Ticket acceptance with London Underground was in place this morning so your ticket should have been accepted.

I’ve print - screened the above tweet in case it disappears

@nationrailenq (X/Twitter)

#Purley - You may use your ticket on the following, at no extra cost:

▪️Great Western Railway between Gatwick and Reigate
▪️London Buses between Redhill and Croydon
▪️London Underground via any reasonable route
▪️Metrobus between Three Bridges and Merstham
▪️Southern services to London Victoria, and Thameslink services to London St Pancras International

 

[al78]

Thanks for the info, I have just contacted TFL. After wading through their menu system I got through to someone who redirected me to the correct person. Unfortunately I got an automated response "there is no-one available to take your call, please call back later". I guess this is the new normal, I will try contacting through one of their online forms.