Ticket bought already - STRIKE!

bundly

I bought online a ticket for 24th December, Hastings to Victoria, My ticket is for a specific train on a specific day. It is non-refundable.

The RMT has since called a strike for that day on that route. Southern website says I can use the ticket on another train operator's services on the same route. But no other operator operates that route!

There is another route up to London, via Tonbridge and going into Charing Cross, but it's a different train operator, South-Eastern. Can I use the Southern ticket, issued for a specific train, on another company's route?

I don't want a refund and I cannot change the date of travel as I will be crossing London then going up North from Euston.

Bundly

elverson

Have you asked Southern?

bundly

elverson wrote: »

Have you asked Southern?

I've not yet found a number to call them on.

wealdroam

bundly wrote: »

I've not yet found a number to call them on.

How hard have you tried?

http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/contact-us/

peachyprice

You had the correct info on your other thread

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5551835

bundly

wealdroam wrote: »

How hard have you tried?

http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/contact-us/

Duh! I feel really dumb now :-(

yorkie2

If you choose not to travel, you can get a full refund (no admin fee).

If you do choose to travel, you can go via Tonbridge on Southeastern.

(Southeastern is owned by Govia, who also own train company you were originally booked to travel with, Govia Thameslink Railway, so I am sure they'll allow travel with them during the strike)

bundly

yorkie2 wrote: »

If you choose not to travel, you can get a full refund (no admin fee).

If you do choose to travel, you can go via Tonbridge on Southeastern.

(Southeastern is owned by Govia, who also own train company you were originally booked to travel with, Govia Thameslink Railway, so I am sure they'll allow travel with them during the strike)

I had no idea that SE is owned by Govia!

(Aside) I thought privatisation meant competing train companies? So Govia has every route from the Hastings area under its control!

Thanks Yorkie. I have to travel. I already bought my onward journey and my nonrefundable hotel!

yorkie2

bundly wrote: »

(Aside) I thought privatisation meant competing train companies? So Govia has every route from the Hastings area under its control!

The intention was (and remains) not to have competing train companies for your particular journeys, but to have competing train companies bidding for franchise awards.

There are not many flows where there is genuine choice of operator for passengers (Birmingham to London being the best example of where this occurs).

Govia are absolutely diabolical and very much looked down upon by many of their customers and staff. They own three train companies, the worst one is Govia Thameslink Railway, who are by far the worst performing and most hated train company in Britain. They mislead people, refuse to adhere to the rules applicable to the rail industry (such as the Ticketing Settlement Agreement) and also cause brand confusion with their multiple brand names, all of this is in cahoots with - and supported by - the Department for Transport.