Train Problem

Giantsfan06

Hi guys,

Bit odd in that I'm asking about a problem that hasn't happened yet, but I fear might and I need to know my options!

Basically, I'm going to do doing a regular (weekly) commute from Totnes to Nottingham, via Birmingham New Street for a while (£63 return with railcard, if anyone can find it cheaper... :-) )

My issue is with the possibility of getting stuck. I can get a train back from Nottingham at about 6:30 to get back to Totnes the same night. However, if that train is delayed en route, I could theoretically end up in Birmingham NS having missed the last train back to Totnes until the morning.

The service provider for all connections is the same - Cross Country.

If I get stranded in Birmingham, what are my options?!? Will they do anything for me as a result of their delay, or am I sleeping on a platform?

Many thanks for any and all help!

Giantsfan06

I do see I could get back as far as Taunton on a train gone 9pm, but no further. Would they perhaps pay for a taxi from there or is this optimistic?

Also a train as far as Bristol leaves at 22:12, perhaps a last hope to get closer at least.

victor2

Best to check with Cross Country about delays and cancelled trains. As often happens on weekends, it may be that a coach service is laid on for cancellations. But if you are delayed and miss your connection, I wouldn't be surprised to find that the best they'll do is refund the ticket you were unable to use.
Always have a plan B and hope you'll never need it!

Livingthedream

From the National Rail Conditions of Carriage;

43. Help from Train Companies if you are stranded
If disruption caused by circumstances within the control of a Train Company or a Rail
Service Company leaves you stranded before you have reached your destination and the
Train Company whose trains you are entitled to use is unable to get you to that destination
by other means, any Train Company which is in a position to help will, if it reasonably can,
either arrange to get you to that destination, or provide overnight accommodation for you.

So if the train is delayed or cancelled then yes Crosscountry is obliged to help you out and don't let them fob you off with any excuses.

And to knock a £10 ish of the Off Peak Return, split tickets at Cheltenham Spa

Giantsfan06

Livingthedream wrote: »

So if the train is delayed or cancelled then yes Crosscountry is obliged to help you out and don't let them fob you off with any excuses.

And to knock a £10 ish of the Off Peak Return, split tickets at Cheltenham Spa

Love this forum, thanks so much for that!

mumto1_2

it has been my experience however, that a taxi will be offered if its cheaper than a hotel room.

lfc321

Used to happen to me a lot catching the last train on a v unreliable line in wales - they always arranged taxis for those who had missed the connection. Must have cost them a fortune.

Owain_Moneysaver

If the train into B'ham is delayed get the Guard/Conductor to phone his Control as it's Control who authorise taxis etc.

In theory they can hold the connection for you but in practice the penalty charges for delaying trains and platform occupancy mean that taxi will be cheaper for them - it's £000s per minute in platform occupancy.

alexlyne

i presume if it's circumstances outside the control of the train company, then they are not obliged to do anything.
And this would include leaves, snow, cable theft, network rail issues (signal,track problems)? Would it also include being delayed because of having to wait for other delayed trains (non X-country)?
If so, they have a lot of ammo for denying obligations...

johnnyroper

i work for FGW and if a customer is delayed on a service and subsequently misses a connection then they arrange transport to the final destination,even if it is cable theft or any of the other reasons listed above.The only time they dont is if the delay was from you using another TOCS late running service,but as you are using x country for entire journey then you should not have an issue as said above just get the conductor to speak with the control in advance to see what can be sorted.

yorkie2

johnnyroper wrote: »

The only time they dont is if the delay was from you using another TOCS late running service....

Is this really FGWs policy? The National Rail Conditions of Carriage disagrees; what does it say under "If you are stranded"?