So how would that work?
Pax #1, intending to catch the 18:05, actually catches the 17:35, which is running 25 late. He arrives at his destination 5 mins earlier than he planned, but gets an exit ticket stamp entitling him to a 15 min delay payout.
It's definatly possible;
The situation given is what he could do today, claim for that particular journey - he's be entitled to as there's nothing on his ticket saying that wasn't his intended train **UNLESS his ticket was bought at the station just before he boarded and that time was registered on the ticket/strip (which would catch him out if he applied for a refund)???
Nothing against time-stamping at stations, but how would it work in practice; say you arrived at 1300, and your 1305 train was delayed, do you stamp your ticket when it's announced it's delayed, or when it arrives (and it leaves later as it waits for everyone to get stamped - and what about those with e-tickets? If it's the former, what if it's delayed 16 mins and then turns up 13 mins late (it's caught up?); if it's stamped and the train catches up time en route and you apply for a refund it could be rejected I suppose.
I'm not suggesting it's a bad idea; I think it's actually most plausible - but as with mine it has it's difficulties; maybe both systems could be used in tandem as an experiment? Think if the authorities sat down and worked out machines at stations and on trains that give a promise of refund ticket which are time-stamped and have a unique number it could be done.
It needs people to get together, think of the solutions (like we have here) and work out what to do.
Meanwhile
- suppose I have three separate single tickets for one trip - Bolton-Manchester (fiver); Manchester-London (50) and London-Gatwick (15??), and the very first train is 30 mins late, meaning I miss the Manchester train and then miss the Gatwick train; would I only get the compensation for the first train as all the others ran on time - yet I arrived at my destination late?? If I booked Bolton - Gatwick as one ticket would I get a bigger refund??