Fatality on train route last night - can I reasonably expect a refund for taxi fare?

Jonesy_McJones

My OH and I both have annual season tickets with Southeastern. Last night, there was apparently a fatality a few stops away from my local station so the train we were on couldn’t continue. Eventually it returned to the previous station and seeing as there was no one around to advise differently, we got off of the train and organised alternative transport.

The taxi fare came to almost £30, for which we have a receipt. Do you think there is a chance Southeastern will refund part or all of this or is this something we just have to accept?

Many thanks :-)

stroppyjock

Think you may struggle, and even if they gave you a refund it would prob be in vouchers. for future ref use the help point on the platforn, that will get you through to "control" who can then arrange transport, if they deem it appropriate. Hope this helps.

Kurtis_Blue

Probably not, someone dying is not within the control of the company, have you thought of suing the bereaved estate?

Jonesy_McJones

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

Probably not, someone dying is not within the control of the company, have you thought of suing the bereaved estate?

No it's not, but neither was the bad weather in late 2009 / early 2010 and I assume there were ticket refunds etc issued then...?

I also assume you are being flippant about suing.

Kurtis_Blue

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

No it's not, but neither was the bad weather in late 2009 / early 2010 and I assume there were ticket refunds etc issued then...?

I also assume you are being flippant about suing.

Ticket refunds due to a service not being completed is different to claiming extra losses.

Keith

I expect that the train company could say you should have minimised your loss, in this case perhaps a bus was more appropriate?

Jonesy_McJones

Kurtis_Blue wrote: »

Ticket refunds due to a service not being completed is different to claiming extra losses.

True, but to me (maybe not to Southeastern!) it equates to a similar thing.

Have found this now on Southeastern's website so I figure it is worth a try:

If your journey is delayed we will provide the information you need to complete your journey and to make a claim for compensation if your journey is delayed. If your Southeastern train is delayed or cancelled resulting in delay to your journey, we’ll consider claims, even if the problem was caused by circumstances outside of our control. We’ll consider each claim on its merits.

Our compensation policy is explained in the following paragraphs:

• We’ll consider any reasonable claim you may have for additional costs incurred because of a delay to one of our services (for example, the cost of alternative travel arrangements).

DKLS

I had something similar, as well as the suicide there was the added pleasure of some theiving swines knicking the cable from the overhead lines, near manchester, resulting in a lengthy delay and additional taxi costs incurred.

I wrote in and complained, not expecting much joy, but.....

Yesterday I received a letter and voucher to travel anywhere on the Northern rail network free for a day.

So I think a business meeting in London followed by a night out in Edinburgh is in order.

robt_2

DKLS wrote: »

I had something similar, as well as the suicide there was the added pleasure of some theiving swines knicking the cable from the overhead lines, near manchester, resulting in a lengthy delay and additional taxi costs incurred.

I wrote in and complained, not expecting much joy, but.....

Yesterday I received a letter and voucher to travel anywhere on the Northern rail network free for a day.

So I think a business meeting in London followed by a night out in Edinburgh is in order.

But Northern don't run to either London or Edinburgh....

OP: They are under no obligation to, but I think under the circumstances (no staff to ask) they will refund you in Rail Travel Vouchers.

DaveMacD

Was it the last train to your destination? If not, it's doubtful you'll be successful as they can claim it was only the one service that was affected. Still worth a try though.

sharpy2010

Jonesy_McJones wrote: »

My OH and I both have annual season tickets with Southeastern. Last night, there was apparently a fatality a few stops away from my local station so the train we were on couldn’t continue. Eventually it returned to the previous station and seeing as there was no one around to advise differently, we got off of the train and organised alternative transport.

The taxi fare came to almost £30, for which we have a receipt. Do you think there is a chance Southeastern will refund part or all of this or is this something we just have to accept?

Many thanks :-)

Seriously, someone has died. Try being a bit more compassionate and grateful that it wasn't you, rather than b1tching about a few quid.