How good is protection for cancelled train services?

Westwinds3

We prefer to travel by train rather than air within the UK and want to pre-book a journey in October.  As pensioners we can be flexible if trains are cancelled on a specific day.  However, there is a significant risk of a strike or other disruption.   Are we right that if no feasible train was available within a time window, we would have to take a refund and re-book at twice the price?  Also, when there is disruption, seat reservations are often cancelled and we do not fancy standing for 4+ hours.  Would we be wiser to forgo our environmental principles and fly, since consumer rights are clearer and stronger?

anotheruser

Depends on what ticket you have bought.

If you buy an Advance ticket and that train is cancelled (but other trains are running on that day), you will have no right to a straight refund, although delay repay would apply, as you would be able to travel on the next available service.

If you buy a normal ticket, that can be used on any train and thus even if you were going for the 12:17 or whatever, you wouldn't be in line for a refund.

If seat reservations are cancelled, that doesn't automatically mean you'll have to stand for 4 hours.
If you're elderly, it's likely someone will give up their seat for you if there are none.  Ask the Train Conductor or platform staff to help you find a seat.

turnitround

A friend of mine who is 79 travelled back from London last week and had seats reservations booked. Train stopped at Crewe and the last 4 carriages were removed. He had to get off and move forward to the other carriages which were all full. He stood up from Crewe to Carlisle.
He asked staff to find him a seat but was literally told 'Nothing we can do mate, we are full'. No-one offered him a seat.

Westwinds3

We know of even worse, and it is not uncommon for seat reservations to be jettisoned when there is disruption.  I think there is no obligation to provide you with a pre-booked seat

daveyjp

"If you buy an Advance ticket and that train is cancelled (but other trains are running on that day), you will have no right to a straight refund"

That isn't correct.  If you have an Advance ticket you are booking a ticket for a specific service.  If that service is cancelled the train company have broken the contract.  If you choose not to travel due to the disruption you are due a full refund.

Kiko4564

anotheruser said:

Depends on what ticket you have bought.

If you buy an Advance ticket and that train is cancelled (but other trains are running on that day), you will have no right to a straight refund, although delay repay would apply, as you would be able to travel on the next available service.

If you buy a normal ticket, that can be used on any train and thus even if you were going for the 12:17 or whatever, you wouldn't be in line for a refund.

If seat reservations are cancelled, that doesn't automatically mean you'll have to stand for 4 hours.
If you're elderly, it's likely someone will give up their seat for you if there are none.  Ask the Train Conductor or platform staff to help you find a seat.

False. If your train is cancelled, you're automatically entitled to abandon your journey for a fee free refund.