Train question re. pre-booked seat

Bogof_Babe

When you book a rail journey online you are allocated a seat number, which is fine.

I'm just wondering (given the bad weather) what happens if your connecting train is late due to no fault of your own, so you miss the train you have a reservation for. Is it allowable to catch the next one and hope to find an unreserved seat, or do you have to pay again?

I'm travelling tomorrow on a two stage journey, and there is not a lot of time between connections, so I would like to know where I stand (not literally I hope!) if I miss the second train.

whu

Don't know the exact answer but I would have thought it would be reasonable for you to get the next train without paying in those circumstances - hope it all works out

Livingthedream

It depends on the Ticket Type you have;
Anytime ticket: then just get the next train. No problem

Off Peak ticket: then just get the next train but make sure its an off peak service

Advance ticket: If you miss the connection thru no fault of you own then its the train companies fault and they are obliged to get you to your end destination without any extra payment.

If however, you have Split Advance tickets ie ticket from a to b and another ticket from b to c and you miss your connection the guard can make you buy a full fare ticket (b to c) It a risk you run when splitting Advance tickets I always advise 30mins to 45mins for a connection

terryw

For what it is worth, I had a train journey last year (Nat Express East Coast) and the train times were in disarray because of the bad weather rather like today. Tickets were vaklid on any train but obviously not the booked seat.

terryw

Bogof_Babe

Thanks folks, I should be okay then as it is an Advance ticket.

It will probably never happen anyway <crosses fingers> .

AirlieBird

Advance Conditions of use

If delays occur while travelling, you will be allowed to take the next available train(s) to complete your journey.

Bogof_Babe

Thank you so much for the link, I never thought of looking online for the answer! That has put my mind at rest.

All I have to do now is make sure I don't miss the first train!

alanrowell

If the late running train means you miss the final train to our destination, then find the station manager's office as they can get a taxi for you at no cost to yourself

babs2008

You might also be able to get a refund if there's a bad delay.

Voyager2002

Livingthedream wrote: »

It depends on the Ticket Type you have;
Anytime ticket: then just get the next train. No problem

Off Peak ticket: then just get the next train but make sure its an off peak service

Advance ticket: If you miss the connection thru no fault of you own then its the train companies fault and they are obliged to get you to your end destination without any extra payment.

If however, you have Split Advance tickets ie ticket from a to b and another ticket from b to c and you miss your connection the guard can make you buy a full fare ticket (b to c) It a risk you run when splitting Advance tickets I always advise 30mins to 45mins for a connection

In practice:

If your first train is running late, explain your problem to the train manager (ticket inspector) and ask him to endorse your ticket.

If you have bought "split tickets" then you are at risk, but in practice you should be able to find someone at the station where you change trains to endorse your ticket. I have been in this situation more than once, but have never even come near to having to pay again.

Livingthedream

If you miss your connection due to delays on the railway and your resulting connection make you more that an hour late then your entitled to a refund
25% of ticket price for over 1 hour
Full Refund of ticket price for over 2 hours
just as the train manager for a compensation form