Split ticket - delay rights

[Seehof]

With the pictured journey with two separate tickets what are you rights if your first train (Thameslink) is delayed with regard to getting on the next LNER service without penalty. Or are you supposed to buy a new ticket for the LNER portion? Thanks

 

[jfollows]

The minimum connection time for this connection to be valid is 31 minutes, so if you are lucky you will make the connection. If you’re delayed on the first train, since you didn’t allow enough time between the two trains, you might not be eligible for travel on a later train. However you seem to have an itinerary so if you show that you’re likely to be allowed to travel on a later train from King’s Cross without needing to buy a new ticket.

In the case of a valid interchange time, your rights are that you can use a later service with the same operator if your delay causes you to miss your train booked with an advance ticket, without paying more.

EDIT As stated in the following posts, if your interchange time is not “valid” but the tickets are bought in conjunction with an “invalid” itinerary, then you have the same right to use a later service in the case of delay to the first service, that’s to say without the need to buy a new ticket.

 

[ainsworth74]

Who was this purchased from and was this the itinerary offered when you searched from Horsham to York?

 

[Watershed]

The minimum connection time for this connection to be valid is 31 minutes, so if you are lucky you will make the connection. If you’re delayed on the first train, since you didn’t allow enough time between the two trains, you might not be eligible for travel on a later train. However you seem to have an itinerary so if you show that you’re likely to be allowed to travel on a later train from King’s Cross without needing to buy a new ticket.

In the case of a valid interchange time, your rights are that you can use a later service with the same operator if your delay causes you to miss your train booked with an advance ticket, without paying more.

Looking at the email format, I think it's from TrainPal or Trainline? Either way, since it was offered as a single through itinerary, the connection is contractually valid and the OP would be entitled to travel on a later LNER train if they miss their connection due to disruption on Thameslink.

Some journey planners, including the one that's used by National Rail Enquiries, use a reduced interchange time of 21 minutes between St Pancras and Kings Cross, rather than the 31 minutes (15 minutes at each station + 1 minute walk) which the data would otherwise suggest.

It's a pragmatic solution given that the standard 15 minute interchange time is really more intended to give enough time to get to/from the Tube station at major London termini, which can involve multiple escalators and long walks - something not required in this case. I don't see how it's compliant with industry accreditation rules, but that's a matter between the RDG and the relevant journey planning provider(s).

 

[alistairlees]

Some TIS suppliers / retailers use a reduced interchange time (of 21 minutes), not in the data, between Kings Cross and St Pancras. Trainline and Silverrail are two, there may be more.

 

[Seehof]

Thank you. My stepdaughter bought this ticket who is not a seasoned traveller, so I just wanted to understand her rights if it goes wrong. Her mum says she should get an earlier train from Horsham for safety. I have no idea how or where she bought the ticket! Thanks to all again.

 

[Hadders]

To answer the substantial question, if @Seehof is delayed by Thameslink to the point that they miss their booked train to York they can catch the next LNER train to York (I'm assuming this is a LNER & Connections ticket). There is no need to purchase a new ticket.

If the overall delay in arriving at York is 15 minutes or more then you can also claim Delay Repay from Thameslink.

 

[Seehof]

Thank you again. I bet my stepdaughter hopes that will happen!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 May 2025 ==

Just found out from her she bought the tickets from Trainline

 

[Watershed]

Thank you. My stepdaughter bought this ticket who is not a seasoned traveller, so I just wanted to understand her rights if it goes wrong. Her mum says she should get an earlier train from Horsham for safety. I have no idea how or where she bought the ticket! Thanks to all again.

With Thameslink, in my experience cancellations are a bigger problem than delays. I'd suggest checking how the trains are running a couple of hours beforehand, and then make a decision on whether to catch the booked train or an earlier one.