Train cancellation - free replacement ticket on same service ?

[doc7austin]

Hello,

I am not so familiar with the rules around UK railway travel.

In case my booked train is cancelled by the train operating company (e.g. Caledonian Sleeper due to weather), am I entitled to receive a free replacement ticket in the same travel class on the same service/route at a later date this year ?

Has the UK parliament converted the EU passenger rights legislation into UK national law ?

 

[Haywain]

Hello,

I am not so familiar with the rules around UK railway travel.

In case my booked train is cancelled by the train operating company (e.g. Caledonian Sleeper due to weather), am I entitled to receive a free replacement ticket in the same travel class on the same service/route at a later date this year ?

Has the UK parliament converted the EU passenger rights legislation into UK national law ?

Have you asked Caledonian Sleepers about this? That would seem to be the best starting point.

 

[doc7austin]

No, the train has not been cancelled, yet.

 

[SandsofEss]

I'm not an expert, but I recognise your username from having enjoyed many of your Youtube videos, so I'm keen to help if I can...

UK rail operators have a duty to get you to your destination once you've begun travelling, but in the case of pre-emptive cancellation, they'll often simply offer a refund or travel on a service/date either side.

The Caledonian Sleeper has a smaller, specialist customer service team, who are more likely to be proactive and willing to swap your booking for a date later in the year, though I believe this would be at their discretion, not an entitlement.

The biggest difference in UK passenger rights is probably our Delay Repay scheme, which can be very generous, but not relevant to your question here.

 

[doc7austin]

ok, thank you.

Yes, I will write Caledonian Sleeper a nice email/chat, once the train had been officially cancelled.

 

[Merseysider]

You’re entitled to have your journey rebooked for a later date if delays/cancellations mean you’ll be at least an hour late to your destination.

From the PRO:

Where there is a reasonable expectation that a delay that will lead to arrival at the final destination 60 minutes or more late, passengers may either choose to have a:
[snip]
continuation or re-routeing under comparable transport conditions to the final destination at a later date at the passenger’s convenience

Link

Also, whilst the UK rail industry is kinda crap at customer service, Caledonian Sleeper are actually decent ime - and if you don’t get the answer you want first time just try again eg phone them.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

No, the train has not been cancelled, yet.

What type of ticket have you got on the sleeper service in question, asking this just in case it doesn't get cancelled.

 

[Watershed]

Hello,

I am not so familiar with the rules around UK railway travel.

In case my booked train is cancelled by the train operating company (e.g. Caledonian Sleeper due to weather), am I entitled to receive a free replacement ticket in the same travel class on the same service/route at a later date this year ?

If the anticipated delay by waiting for the next train your ticket permits would be more than an hour, then yes, you're entitled to a replacement ticket for a date of your convenience free of charge, under Article 16(c) of the PRO.

I don't think any of the UK train companies have created any processes for doing this - they seem to generally just ignore the PRO. Therefore it may be necessary to buy a new ticket and claim back the cost.

It's worth noting that Caledonian Sleeper often just refunds bookings made through their site if the train is cancelled. You wouldn't be taken to accept this just because they do it automatically, but it may cause problems with enforcing your rights under the PRO. I've not had to claim against CS under the PRO though, so I can't say with certainty how they would respond.

Has the UK parliament converted the EU passenger rights legislation into UK national law ?

The PRO was retained in UK law after Brexit. The PRO has since been amended (in my opinion, quite unfavourably) but these changes have only taken effect in the EU.

 

[doc7austin]

oki, I am carefully checking the wind-speed forecast. It appears Network Rail closes the rail lines for wind speeds over 80 km/h.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It's worth noting that Caledonian Sleeper often just refunds bookings made through their site if the train is cancelled. You wouldn't be taken to accept this just because they do it automatically, but it may cause problems with enforcing your rights under the PRO. I've not had to claim against CS under the PRO though, so I can't say with certainty how they would respond.

Generally CS seems to be very well behaved and both refunds AND provides alternatives if you want such as a static train to sleep on and validity on LNER. If you do choose to travel the refund is in effect 2 hour Delay Repay, I suppose.