Compensation for train catering

just22

We recently travelled with first TPE in 1st class, primarily because the 1st class tickets included food and drinks. The boards reported a trolley service but when we got on the train the conductor informed us there was no catering, and we therefore had nothing to eat or drink for the next 4 hours between Manchester and Glasgow.

I've emailed first TPE and expressed our disappointment and requested compensation. They have replied that the catering is a "complimentary service" not part of the train ticket, and that as a "good will gesture" they will refund half the price of our tickets.

Does anyone know if I have any recourse here to get full compensation, or should I take the money and run?

Any help/advice much appreciated.

custardy

just22 wrote: »

We recently travelled with first TPE in 1st class, primarily because the 1st class tickets included food and drinks. The boards reported a trolley service but when we got on the train the conductor informed us there was no catering, and we therefore had nothing to eat or drink for the next 4 hours between Manchester and Glasgow.

I've emailed first TPE and expressed our disappointment and requested compensation. They have replied that the catering is a "complimentary service" not part of the train ticket, and that as a "good will gesture" they will refund half the price of our tickets.

Does anyone know if I have any recourse here to get full compensation, or should I take the money and run?

Any help/advice much appreciated.

A First Class option is available. Holders of First Class tickets are entitled to complimentary tea/coffee/water and a biscuit on services where catering is provided.

Holders of Standard Class tickets may upgrade to First Class on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays on payment of a £6.00 single journey supplement to the Conductor between any two train stations on the First TransPennine route network. (On our Manchester to Edinburgh and Manchester to Glasgow train services the single journey supplement is £10.00).

Customers holding a valid one month or longer Season Ticket may make their normal daily journey in First Class at weekends at no extra cost on First TransPennine Express services. Passenger Transport Executive (PTE) season tickets, for example, MetroCards, do not qualify for the weekend first class upgrade.

So is half the ticket price not compensation enough for a possible free cuppa?

Nick_C

just22 wrote: »

We recently travelled with first TPE in 1st class, primarily because the 1st class tickets included food and drinks. The boards reported a trolley service but when we got on the train the conductor informed us there was no catering, and we therefore had nothing to eat or drink for the next 4 hours between Manchester and Glasgow.

I've emailed first TPE and expressed our disappointment and requested compensation. They have replied that the catering is a "complimentary service" not part of the train ticket, and that as a "good will gesture" they will refund half the price of our tickets.

Does anyone know if I have any recourse here to get full compensation, or should I take the money and run?

Any help/advice much appreciated.

A 50% refund is very generous. You pay for the train to take you from A to B. Although you didn't get refreshments, you presumably had a more comfortable journey than you would have done in standard class, and it sounds like you have ended up possibly paying less than in standard class. Expecting to travel for free because there were no refreshments is unrealistic.

Dr._Shoe

Take the money and run before they realise that they have no obligation to give you anything at all.

loskie

Yes 1/2 refund sounds good don't be greedy.

photome

just22 wrote: »

We recently travelled with first TPE in 1st class, primarily because the 1st class tickets included food and drinks. The boards reported a trolley service but when we got on the train the conductor informed us there was no catering, and we therefore had nothing to eat or drink for the next 4 hours between Manchester and Glasgow.

I've emailed first TPE and expressed our disappointment and requested compensation. They have replied that the catering is a "complimentary service" not part of the train ticket, and that as a "good will gesture" they will refund half the price of our tickets.

Does anyone know if I have any recourse here to get full compensation, or should I take the money and run?

Any help/advice much appreciated.

What do you think "full" compensation should be for not getting a cup of tea and a biscuit.?

Do you honestly believe 50% isnt more than enough

Armorica

50% refund is very good. If there had been no first class section at all, you would have been entitled to the difference in price between first and standard class for example.

wijit

This is a very generous offer. Your ticket obliged them to let you travel first class to your destination, they fulfilled this. It may seem a bit off to not get the bits your should get, but those are a bonus, not an obligation. 50% is a very good ex-gratia offer.

Chrisblue1962

Would I be right in thinking the OP undertook the journey to in order to sample the wonderful on-train catering and the fact they actually arrived at a location they wanted to go to at a time of their choosing was a mere co-incidence?

geerex

Chrisblue1962 wrote: »

Would I be right in thinking the OP undertook the journey to in order to sample the wonderful on-train catering and the fact they actually arrived at a location they wanted to go to at a time of their choosing was a mere co-incidence?

Either that or they simply have an entitled attitude and think paying for 1st class makes them better than the proles who can't or won't...

byjimini

This nothing. I once got to the station to find that my standard class coach had been left off the train. I was allowed to sit in First Class after a bit of pushing (the train was understaffed and they were panicking a little) but they never offered me any food and the trolley just sailed on by.

Thought it was a bit bloody cheeky.