I met a friend in London today who travelled on the 11:15 WMT service fro Milton Keynes to Euston. At around 11:00 they messaged me to check if the train was still running as there was some disruption. I checked at confirmed the train was on time and said it would depart from platform 4.
My friend is not a rail expert but they said 'they ghosted the train at Milton Keynes' to prevent passengers from boarding it'. They further explained because it was full and standing due to disruption it was removed from the departure boards and passengers were directed to platform 1 which was a stopping service to Euston.
My friend caught the train, got a seat and arrived on time without further incident but that got me thinking:
1. Is this practice widespread?
2. What would happen if the passengers claimed delay repay. Clearly they would be entitled to it in the circumstances described but the records would show that they train ran on time so any claim would likely be rejected.
Interested if anyone knows more.
My friend is not a rail expert but they said 'they ghosted the train at Milton Keynes' to prevent passengers from boarding it'. They further explained because it was full and standing due to disruption it was removed from the departure boards and passengers were directed to platform 1 which was a stopping service to Euston.
My friend caught the train, got a seat and arrived on time without further incident but that got me thinking:
1. Is this practice widespread?
2. What would happen if the passengers claimed delay repay. Clearly they would be entitled to it in the circumstances described but the records would show that they train ran on time so any claim would likely be rejected.
Interested if anyone knows more.