Megabus failed to arrive; how to claim refund?

Walshy86

After a megabus didn't arrive after an hour's wait (which I assume is long enough to wait) with around 25 other people there too, I decided to go and catch a train as I had a flight to catch that evening. After sending an e-mail asking for a refund for the £5 megabus fare and possibly the £18.95 train fare as well I have not heard anything after 3 weeks. As they did not provide the service I feel I am entitled to the first part of the refund at least, is this correct?

Thanks

pinkshoes

You're entitled to the £5 refund, so write to them again, telling them that you'll take further action if they don't refund you the £5 within 14 days.

Did you phone the bus company whilst waiting to ask where it was? Have you tried phoning them for an explanation?

Tozer

Depending on the terms and conditions (and their validity!) you may be entitled to the losses suffered as a consequence (i.e. the train fare).

Takoda

Apparently they are a bit unreliable. It is great if they do turn up but you can't always assume they will. Unlike Nat Express.

Walshy86

Yeah, I tried phoning the number on their website whilst I was waiting but there was no answer. I used their website's "contact us" e-mail section to ask for the explanation and for the refund. I'm going to try and phone them again this week to see what's happening; I'm definitely going to try and get the coach money back but do you think I should I try and get the train fare refunded as well or is this a lost cause?

Codger4U

Read and study post #3.
Tozer has given you the information you require.
Also follow the advice of pinkshoes post #2.

Walshy86

Well done, genius. But Tozer only said that I may be entitled to the train fare. Now I'm just asking their opinions and whether I should bother pushing my luck and asking for both the coach and train refunded.

Don't try and be humourous with your sarcasm Old Codger; you've done 10 posts in 3 years... lot of good advice you've given out then?!

hollydays

Codger4U wrote: »

Read and study post #3.
Tozer has given you the information you require.
Also follow the advice of pinkshoes post #2.

If you pass go,collect £200

delain

I would put it in writing rather than email. Address it to 'complaints department' or similar.

i have had taxi refunds from my local bus company because they kept making me late for collecting the children from school with no show buses!

Voyager2002

I would certainly ask for the train fare as well.

Try writing to the Traffic Commissioner -- the government agency that regulates bus services. Finding their contact details using Google is incredibly difficult, but if you write and ask them to investigate a problem and send a copy to the bus company, the company will certainly sit up and take notice.

Tozer

Walshy86 wrote: »

Well done, genius. But Tozer only said that I may be entitled to the train fare. Now I'm just asking their opinions and whether I should bother pushing my luck and asking for both the coach and train refunded.

Don't try and be humourous with your sarcasm Old Codger; you've done 10 posts in 3 years... lot of good advice you've given out then?!

Contractually you are entitled to be put in the position you would have been in if the contract had been performed by Megabus. Providing you have not taken the mick (e.g. hired a Learjet to get you there!) then you can claim the consequential losses flowing from the breach.

That means you can claim for the cost of alternative arrangements.