Train canceled and replaced with replacement bus

[Openfold]

Hi there ,
I have tickets booked to go from Liverpool Street to stansted airport this Friday (the 13th), and return on Sunday. It’s booked as a anytime return.

This morning I got an email saying that my train had been canceled, and it had been replaced with a route 2x the length that involves a replacement bus. I struggle with panic disorder and anxiety (both diagnosed), and because of this a bus isnt really accessible for me.

I asked GA over the phone, and they said there’s nothing they can do.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what’s best? It’s just because otherwise there isn’t any way I can get to the airport, and on the way back it could result in me being stranded.

Thank you In advance

 

[Gloster]

Is it both the outward and return legs of the journey that have been altered, or just one?

Is it a bus all the way from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport (or vice-versa) or is it a train for some of the way and a bus for the rest?

 

[AlterEgo]

If a bus is an absolute no no, then I recommend refunding the tickets (no admin fee is payable as the train was cancelled), taking the train as far as possible and then taking a taxi to the airport. But if the train’s cancelled the train’s cancelled I’m afraid. Which date is affected?

 

[Openfold]

Is it both the outward and return legs of the journey that have been altered, or just one?

Is it a bus all the way from Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport (or vice-versa) or is it a train for some of the way and a bus for the rest?

For the outward journey it’s a train to Waltham cross, a bus to bishops stortford then a train to stansted. For the return it just says there will be disruption, not specifying where but I am assuming the same

 

[island]

What exactly do you want AGA to do here?

The disruption to your journey entitles you to a fee-free refund of the ticket you've purchased. But they are not going to put the train back on for you, sadly.

You will either need to travel via the new itinerary or take a refund and find a different way to travel.

 

[Openfold]

If a bus is an absolute no no, then I recommend refunding the tickets (no admin fee is payable as the train was cancelled), taking the train as far as possible and then taking a taxi to the airport. But if the train’s cancelled the train’s cancelled I’m afraid. Which date is affected?

It’s this Friday (13th) and the Sunday (15th)

What exactly do you want AGA to do here?

The disruption to your journey entitles you to a fee-free refund of the ticket you've purchased. But they are not going to put the train back on for you, sadly.

You will either need to travel via the new itinerary or take a refund and find a different way to travel.

I’m just trying to find if there’s a way to get to the airport without going on a bus, and without having to pay a fortune.When I booked the tickets there was no mention of replacement busses, but now that’s changed it means I’m really going to struggle to get to the airport

 

[AlterEgo]

It’s this Friday (13th) and the Sunday (15th)


I’m just trying to find if there’s a way to get to the airport without going on a bus, and without having to pay a fortune.When I booked the tickets there was no mention of replacement busses, but now that’s changed it means I’m really going to struggle to get to the airport

Unfortunately there is no prospect of getting to the airport by train if buses/coaches are absolutely not an option at all. Hence the lowest cost option is as I recommended, taking the train as closely as possible and getting a taxi. It’ll be at your own expense though I’m afraid.

 

[Snow1964]

If the bus is Waltham Cross - Bishops Stortford, then in theory should still be able to go 100% by train, but would need to go via Stevenage and Cambridge.

But much further, longer journey, probably more expensive.

 

[yorkie]

If you go to Trainsplit.com and search for a single from London (all stations) to Stansted Airport, and specify Cambridge, you will be issued with an itinerary and tickets to match the itinerary, costing around 25 to 30 pounds. No buses are involved.

However the return journey would involve a bus to Bishops Stortford, so you may want to get a taxi part way if you can't take buses.

 

[Ediswan]

Hi there ,
I have tickets booked to go from Liverpool Street to stansted airport this Friday (the 13th), and return on Sunday. It’s booked as a anytime return.

This morning I got an email saying that my train had been canceled, and it had been replaced with a route 2x the length that involves a replacement bus. I struggle with panic disorder and anxiety (both diagnosed), and because of this a bus isnt really accessible for me.

When was the booking accepted ? This cancellation looks like it is due to works to replace the road bridge at Broxbourne. The details were in the local press several days ago. It must have been planned for some time.
https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/four-month-road-closure-near-7989268

From Friday, January 13 until Wednesday January 18, passengers will need to travel to Waltham Cross by Greater Anglia train service where they can pick up the rail replacement service. On the weekdays this rail replacement service will operate to Bishop’s Stortford for a train service to Stansted Airport or Cambridge North. On the weekends the rail replacement operation is extended to Stansted Airport or Audley End for a train service to Cambridge North.

 

[Horizon22]

When was the booking accepted ? This cancellation looks like it is due to works to replace the road bridge at Broxbourne. The details were in the local press several days ago. It must have been planned for some time.
https://www.hertfordshiremercury.co.uk/news/hertfordshire-news/four-month-road-closure-near-7989268

It does seem odd that if this was planned engineering works that tickets were available.

 

[High Dyke]

It does seem odd that if this was planned engineering works that tickets were available.

I don't think it's odd. Part of the journey is affected, but contingency for this is already in place. OP: Did the journey planner not show this?

 

[Horizon22]

I don't think it's odd. Part of the journey is affected, but contingency for this is already in place. OP: Did the journey planner not show this?

But what the OP has suggested is that he had a through ticket and it is now cancelled - as you say we need to know what the journey planner said. Of course, one might not have been used but seeing as he got an email it would suggest he did.

 

[High Dyke]

But what the OP has suggested is that he had a through ticket and it is now cancelled - as you say we need to know what the journey planner said. Of course, one might not have been used but seeing as he got an email it would suggest he did.

Fair enough. I can only find ourneys, on NRE, that mention the bus replacement section.

 

[duncanp]

If you cannot use buses, then you can get from London to Stansted on Friday 13th by taking a train from Kings Cross to Cambridge, and then from Cambridge to Stansted Airport.

This journey will be much longer, and you will need separate tickets for each leg of the journey.

However there are no trains at Stansted Airport on the 15th, so the only option I can see is to get a taxi to Braintree (12 miles) or Epping (16 miles) from where you can take the train (or tube from Epping) all the way to London, albeit with a change at Witham if you travel from Braintree.

 

[30907]

If you cannot use buses, then you can get from London to Stansted on Friday 13th by taking a train from Kings Cross to Cambridge, and then from Cambridge to Stansted Airport.

And on the return journey get a taxi to Audley End (11 miles) and back to London via Cambridge. This assumes that there are trains to match your flight ttimeboth ways.

If you take that option, I wonder if GA Assisted Travel would be prepared to give you authority to travel that way on your existing ticket? You would have to pay for the taxi, I suspect!

One last possibility - exchange your ticket for an Anytime Return to Cambridge and use it to travel TO Stansted as above (using the return half of the ticket), stay in an airport Hotel, and travel on to London on Monday morning (at 0600 if you need to!).

see post #22 below.

 

[Starmill]

It does seem odd that if this was planned engineering works that tickets were available.

I'm afraid that it's not really that odd. It's purely a case of Greater Anglia not uploading their timetable in time.

We don't know the specific reasons for this, it could have been down to an upstream issue with Network Rail or errors that needed to be ironed out, or it could be simply that Greater Anglia don't have sufficient planning resources.

 

[306024]

I'm afraid that it's not really that odd. It's purely a case of Greater Anglia not uploading their timetable in time.

GA don’t upload the timetable, that is NR’s responsibility.

We don't know the specific reasons for this, it could have been down to an upstream issue with Network Rail or errors that needed to be ironed out, or it could be simply that Greater Anglia don't have sufficient planning resources.

Like all TOCs planners are overworked but GA don’t have a staff shortage. In this case it is a comparatively short notice possession. Here’s the reason for the work.

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tra...ineering-works-13-18-january-no-direct-trains

Within that link it says:

On the Stansted Express​

Friday 13, Monday 16, Tuesday 17 and Wednesday 18 January​

Stansted Airport passengers should travel via Cambridge on Great Northern services to London King's Cross. Tickets will be accepted by Great Northern Trains. London Underground will also accept tickets for travel from London King's Cross to London Liverpool Street, and also on the Victoria Line between Tottenham Hale and London Kings Cross.

Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 January​

Airport passengers should take the rail replacement bus to/from Waltham Cross (direct bus with no stops). Rail replacement buses will be very limited.

 

[Starmill]

GA don’t upload the timetable, that is NR’s responsibility.

What were you hoping to achieve with this comment? Network Rail cannot just author their timetable for them. Sure technically once it's been accepted they transfer it to Network Rail and then they send it downstream, but they don't do anything else with it. They'll upload what GA told them to. If that's a long term plan and no amendments, within twelve weeks then that's what's on sale. It's not Network Rail's issue.

Lots of engineering work timetables are only confirmed a week or a few days in advance now, and for 10 weeks before that whatever is in the WTT was on sale. That's not particularly rare or unusual, which is what I was saying. And it happens regardless of whether the possession is later notice than usual.

 

[306024]

What were you hoping to achieve with this comment? Network Rail cannot just author their timetable for them. Sure technically once it's been accepted they transfer it to Network Rail and then they send it downstream, but they don't do anything else with it. They'll upload what GA told them to. If that's a long term plan and no amendments, within twelve weeks then that's what's on sale. It's not Network Rail's issue.

Lots of engineering work timetables are only confirmed a week or a few days in advance now, and for 10 weeks before that whatever is in the WTT was on sale. That's not particularly rare or unusual, which is what I was saying. And it happens regardless of whether the possession is later notice than usual.

Sorry if my pedantry upset you, but your implication was GA were at fault which simply isn’t the case. No need to lecture me on the process either, which incidentally isn’t quite correct (NR don’t simply upload what GA tells them unless there’s no time to validate) but I’ll not upset you further.

 

[Horizon22]

I'm afraid that it's not really that odd. It's purely a case of Greater Anglia not uploading their timetable in time.

We don't know the specific reasons for this, it could have been down to an upstream issue with Network Rail or errors that needed to be ironed out, or it could be simply that Greater Anglia don't have sufficient planning resources.

Yeah when I mean odd, I mean there's been an error or a resource issue with planning teams somewhere along the line (not that I'd blame them that much). However this is a bit different from strikes and such as surely this was longer term engineering works? If not, fair enough. I do accept that the time horizon for booking has gotten a lot smaller than it used to.

 

[30907]

In view of post #18 above, the OP has no need to make special arrangements - GA have already arranged that their ticket will be valid via Cambridge. Shame the e-mail (apparently) didn't mention that

They will still need to sort out the taxi to Audley End on the return - unless GA will pay.

 

[philthetube]

If your disability means that you cannot travel on a bus which is equipped with a wheelchair lift etc., or even if you can contact passenger assist and see what they say.

It seems to me as if you are being discriminated against because of your disability.

 

[SargeNpton]

If your disability means that you cannot travel on a bus which is equipped with a wheelchair lift etc., or even if you can contact passenger assist and see what they say.

It seems to me as if you are being discriminated against because of your disability.

Not a physical accessibility issue. As the OP says in the first message: "I struggle with panic disorder and anxiety (both diagnosed), and because of this a bus isnt really accessible for me."

 

[AlterEgo]

Not a physical accessibility issue. As the OP says in the first message: "I struggle with panic disorder and anxiety (both diagnosed), and because of this a bus isnt really accessible for me."

Indeed the Equality Act is unlikely to force a train company to provide a taxi if the OP feels too anxious on a bus.

 

[jon0844]

I would hope that GA will be aware of the number of people travelling to the airport and will have made sure to have a fleet of suitable vehicles, with storage for luggage, and as such the journey should be quite painless.

There should be staff on hand to get people on to the right buses, given it isn't a last minute bus ordered due to disruption, so hopefully this will keep stress levels to an absolute minimum.

The most likely cause of stress will be on the journey to the airport as there's a risk of missing a flight, so try and turn up a lot earlier (like 2 hours earlier) even if this means wasted time at the airport because there were no problems, or take the advice and go via Cambridge by train(s) but then use the rail replacement buses on the way back when time is, I assume, going to be less of a concern.

 

[185]

In fairness to GA, at least they've provided a bus. Different rules in the north - Northern Trains frequently delete all their late evening services and provide a 'rail replacement nothing' - stating either travel earlier or go on a different day.

 

[47421]

GA don’t upload the timetable, that is NR’s responsibility.

Like all TOCs planners are overworked but GA don’t have a staff shortage. In this case it is a comparatively short notice possession.

Well a google search shows that this has been known about since Nov 22 (and in fact the alternatives were substantially agreed by then https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2022/1...ce-the-bridge-next-to-broxbourne-station.html), so shorter notice than usual for a 6 day full closure, but not that short. I suppose Christmas and the strikes will not have helped, but people can come to their own conclusions as to whether GA have provided adequate and timely publicity of the closure, and whether the alternatives are appropriate.

 

[Titfield]

Not a physical accessibility issue. As the OP says in the first message: "I struggle with panic disorder and anxiety (both diagnosed), and because of this a bus isnt really accessible for me."

I am sorry to hear of the issues / challenges the OP faces.

Going slightly OT but to assist them I wonder if the OP has notified the airline, (presumably they are travelling by air), of their condition so that the airline can provide a suitable alternative in the event that the aircraft operates to / from a stand that requires bussing to / from the airport terminal.

 

[_toommm_]

I’m not the best with easements, so I won’t make a definitive statement on the below, but would this help the OP?

701056 (Map) Due to engineering works, between the 13 and 16 January 2023, customers travelling from Stansted Airport to central London or via central London may travel to London Kings Cross via Cambridge and Hitchin. This map easement applies in both directionsThis one adds Stansted-Cambridge-London Kings Cross (but not -Moorgate by train) to mapped routes, including the ones between Stansted Airport and London