Train delays caused missed appointment

Hoenir

itwasntme001 said:

p00hsticks said:

itwasntme001 said:

It still baffles me how a tresspasser can cause delays of close to an hour!  Surely you would ge the police to come over, arrest the person and that is the end of that?  All within 20min at most?

Well,  they have to find the person first. The chances are that the British Transport Police will have just received a phone call that there is someone on the line withe a rough indication of the location. They then have to get there themselves and try to locate the person and, if they can;t spot them, make 100% sure that the line is clear.

In my experience, it's often turned out to be someone simply taking  short cut and by the time the police get their they've disappeared of the line...

The delays actually continued for longer than an hour, there were still delays a few hours in.  Just does not make any sense.  If a simple thing like a tresspasser can cause this much problem, trains seem incredible vulnerable to minor issues.  Not fit for purpose and lesson learnt not to rely on it for things that cost me significant amounts.

Sounds like a normal day at an airport. One minor issue. Can rapidly ripple out and cause any number of secondary issues. Once something is in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

DullGreyGuy

Okell said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Okell said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Okell said:

itwasntme001 said:

400ixl said:

Yep, you will likely be eligible for delay repay from the train operator.

The fact that you did not allow enough time to take a delay into account is not the train lines problem and they are not responsible for any consequential losses.

I already allowed 20min.  How much time should I have allowed?  Given the delay it looks like 1 hour minimum?

I mean seriously, should I really have to allow 1 hour delays everytime I want to take the train for an appointment?

If I had to travel to a private medical appointment and it was far enough away to require travel by train, I'd start by allowing two hours.

Travelling by train doesn't necessarily mean its far, sometimes its just the most convenient method. We seem to be assuming, including me, that the delay was prior to boarding or the train was just on a go slow. It can be the train stops between stations and you're just stuck. Still would have allowed more than 20 minutes but it eliminates switching to another transport method.

A friend took the Stourbridge Shuttle, the whole line is 0.8 miles, was stuck on it for far longer than the 3 minutes it takes end to end because if there is a problem they still won't just open the doors and allow you to wander on the line etc. 

I used to travel extensively by train for work throughout the south-east and midland regions.  Shortest regular journey was 14 minutes and longest 3 hours plus including changing in London.  (It was cheaper than giving me a lease car, apparently, and I could work on the train)

For the 14 minute journey I'd aim at arriving at least an hour before the meeting.  Going to London or further (over two hours) I'd allow two hours.  Arriving early is rarely a problem.

I once had to get a £100 taxi journey authorised in place of a one hour train journey when the train was unexpectedly cancelled and - for once - I hadn't left enough time to allow a later train to get me there.

These things all depend on the importance of the meeting etc. A 14 minute train journey is a couple of miles at most and so viable via taxi. Personally wouldn't allow an extra hour on a 14 minutes journey but throughout my career we have had VC and mobiles so worst thing is I have to dial in. Sure there is the occasional meeting where you really want to be there in person but for those would more likely book a desk (internally or externally) and spend the day there. 

As an independent 2 hours waiting is 2 hours not paid hence better have a desk somewhere and work the whole time. 

A couple of miles!  No!  We obviously have different experiences of train travel!  My 14 (sorry) 17 minute journey covered over 20 miles and the train was much cheaper than a taxi would have been.

A 21% increase in time is relevant, in ultra short journeys getting up to speed and breaking can be half the journey. Wasnt suggesting a Taxi would be cheaper but on a short journey if you turn up and every train for the next 2 hours is cancelled it is a by exception option. My old journey was 19 minutes by train but only 3 miles.

I get the bus to work, when the bus is broken it's 50/50 if I get the tube or Uber, if bus and tube is broken then clearly its Uber for me. 

New_in_the_fens said:
I’d rather never have to get a train, but needs must!

It depends, personally. 

I like driving but can't work when I drive. I was for a while doing central London to Newcastle every other week with a client that paid for 1st on trains. Driving is 5 hours if the roads are clear and 8 hours if they arent. The train was reliably 4 hours with free breakfast on the way there and free beers on the way back. I could leave at 3pm and more or less get home at a reasonable hour fed and watered rather than getting more much later having not eaten etc. 

Most the time it was travelling with 4-6 colleagues so again the train is more social/can do work -v- each taking their own car. 

Life is very different when the client requires you to book Advanced Tickets in Coach so you have the worry of missing the train or not having a seat etc

Okell

DullGreyGuy said:

Okell said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Okell said:

DullGreyGuy said:

Okell said:

itwasntme001 said:

400ixl said:

Yep, you will likely be eligible for delay repay from the train operator.

The fact that you did not allow enough time to take a delay into account is not the train lines problem and they are not responsible for any consequential losses.

I already allowed 20min.  How much time should I have allowed?  Given the delay it looks like 1 hour minimum?

I mean seriously, should I really have to allow 1 hour delays everytime I want to take the train for an appointment?

If I had to travel to a private medical appointment and it was far enough away to require travel by train, I'd start by allowing two hours.

Travelling by train doesn't necessarily mean its far, sometimes its just the most convenient method. We seem to be assuming, including me, that the delay was prior to boarding or the train was just on a go slow. It can be the train stops between stations and you're just stuck. Still would have allowed more than 20 minutes but it eliminates switching to another transport method.

A friend took the Stourbridge Shuttle, the whole line is 0.8 miles, was stuck on it for far longer than the 3 minutes it takes end to end because if there is a problem they still won't just open the doors and allow you to wander on the line etc. 

I used to travel extensively by train for work throughout the south-east and midland regions.  Shortest regular journey was 14 minutes and longest 3 hours plus including changing in London.  (It was cheaper than giving me a lease car, apparently, and I could work on the train)

For the 14 minute journey I'd aim at arriving at least an hour before the meeting.  Going to London or further (over two hours) I'd allow two hours.  Arriving early is rarely a problem.

I once had to get a £100 taxi journey authorised in place of a one hour train journey when the train was unexpectedly cancelled and - for once - I hadn't left enough time to allow a later train to get me there.

These things all depend on the importance of the meeting etc. A 14 minute train journey is a couple of miles at most and so viable via taxi. Personally wouldn't allow an extra hour on a 14 minutes journey but throughout my career we have had VC and mobiles so worst thing is I have to dial in. Sure there is the occasional meeting where you really want to be there in person but for those would more likely book a desk (internally or externally) and spend the day there. 

As an independent 2 hours waiting is 2 hours not paid hence better have a desk somewhere and work the whole time. 

A couple of miles!  No!  We obviously have different experiences of train travel!  My 14 (sorry) 17 minute journey covered over 20 miles and the train was much cheaper than a taxi would have been.

A 21% increase in time is relevant, in ultra short journeys getting up to speed and breaking can be half the journey. Wasnt suggesting a Taxi would be cheaper but on a short journey if you turn up and every train for the next 2 hours is cancelled it is a by exception option. My old journey was 19 minutes by train but only 3 miles...

Blimey!  Don't think I could cope with a 3 mile train journey...

I suspect @Grumpy_guy can cover that quicker than the train every Saturday morning!   

Edit:  I meant @Grumpy_chap of course!

eskbanker

itwasntme001 said:

Will be taking taxis to airports from now on!

Just as well roads never get congested or closed for accidents and incidents then.... 🙄

photome

eskbanker said:

itwasntme001 said:

Will be taking taxis to airports from now on!

Just as well roads never get congested or closed for accidents and incidents then.... 🙄

That’s the next instalment 

born_again

itwasntme001 said:

p00hsticks said:

itwasntme001 said:

It still baffles me how a tresspasser can cause delays of close to an hour!  Surely you would ge the police to come over, arrest the person and that is the end of that?  All within 20min at most?

Well,  they have to find the person first. The chances are that the British Transport Police will have just received a phone call that there is someone on the line withe a rough indication of the location. They then have to get there themselves and try to locate the person and, if they can;t spot them, make 100% sure that the line is clear.

In my experience, it's often turned out to be someone simply taking  short cut and by the time the police get their they've disappeared of the line...

The delays actually continued for longer than an hour, there were still delays a few hours in.  Just does not make any sense.  If a simple thing like a tresspasser can cause this much problem, trains seem incredible vulnerable to minor issues.  Not fit for purpose and lesson learnt not to rely on it for things that cost me significant amounts.

Will be taking taxis to airports from now on!

If there was only one train running then yes.
But when there are lots of trains to sort out there are massive knock on effects. Especially on busy line running into dead end stations.

End of the day you could take any form or transport & get delayed.

Don't forget it is not just the trespasser, they also have to check to ensure the line is safe & they have not damaged anything that could cause a derailment etc...

spo2

I had an issue years ago with trains when I was working in an hourly paid job which was a 10 minute train journey away. Unfortunately the train that should have got me there on time was regularly 40 minutes late and I was getting docked pay. I soon learnt to take an earlier train - but the second time it happened, I contacted the rail firm and explained what had happened and they sent me out a cheque to cover what my losses would have been. It wasn't a massive amount but it was worth a try.

I never understood why they didn't just adjust the written timetable, if the train was routinely 40 minutes late!

outtatune

Those people calling for the train companies to compensate for consequential losses that they themselves can't even estimate, let alone predict, and that could easily be many times the actual cost of the ticket - just how high would you like the fares to be hiked up? 500%? Tenfold? More?

Okell

outtatune said:

Those people calling for the train companies to compensate for consequential losses that they themselves can't even estimate, let alone predict, and that could easily be many times the actual cost of the ticket - just how high would you like the fares to be hiked up? 500%? Tenfold? More?

I think that's a good point.

Only the person buying the ticket knows how important it is for them to get to their destination on time and how much it might cost them if they are late.  If they think a time buffer of only 20 minutes is sufficient (given the frequency of the timetable and the knowledge that train delays are not unusual) then why should the train operator be expected to second guess them?

Grumpy_chap

DullGreyGuy said:

My old journey was 19 minutes by train but only 3 miles.

Okell said:

Blimey!  Don't think I could cope with a 3 mile train journey...

I suspect @Grumpy_guy can cover that quicker than the train every Saturday morning!   

Edit:  I meant @Grumpy_chap of course!

Thank you and I wish

There are many that could do that distance in that time or less.  I have never achieved it
I am currently a bit off pace, so that would be 23 minutes or so - the cold slows me down (a bit like a train with ice on the track).
There is also the factor that I'd arrive at work breathless, sweaty and with a certain fragrance so need to factor in the time for a shower and change of clothes into the total time.

Compared to me, DGG will be arriving relaxed and refreshed having enjoyed a coffee and croissant on his journey, perhaps getting some work done while he made use of the onboard wifi, and will arrive ready to spring straight into the day's successes as soon as he steps off the train and into the office.

Commenting a bit more related to the OP's original question, if this was compared to airline compensation rules, trespassers on the track would like be deemed outside the train operator's control and therefore not eligible for compensation.