Advance Purchase - Refund in exceptional circumstances?!

[whole diary]

[thetrout]

Evening all,

I have an Advance Ticket for travel on the 18:43 EUS - BHM. There is major disruption on the WCML^▸ (West Coast Main Line) tonight. If this service is cancelled, I won't travel because the only reason I am making this journey is because I wanted to try out the Pretendolino!

So my question is, if they cancel the train, am I entitled to a refund because there is no point in the journey if they do. Also if the train is 30+ minutes late, again I won't bother as I won't get back to BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) for the last service to FRO^» (Frome - next trains). Would I get a refund then?

Thanks and have a good weekend!

TT

[old original]

yep, no problem

[inspector_blakey]

As a rule of thumb, the Conditions of Carriage state that if the train you want to catch is cancelled or delayed, you can obtain a full refund on your ticket (of whatever type) without any penalty or admin fee. There is, to my knowledge, no specified minimum delay, so in theory I suppose if you decided not to travel on the strength of a delay of even a few minutes you would still technically be entitled to a refund.

[paul7575]

Seems to me the biggest pitfall here is if they happen to substitute the Pretendolino with a Voyager or Pendolino.  Then you are completely snookered...

Paul

[inspector_blakey]

For the uninitiated, btw, the "Pretendolino" is a set of refurbished mark 3 stock painted in Virgin's current "Warbonnet" livery that operated relief trains (especially on a Friday evening) with class 90 haulage. It acquired the rather wonderful nickname as it was refurbished to look as much like a Pendolino inside and outside as possible in terms of livery, upholstery etc etc.

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/54184337

[thetrout]

Turned out the 18:43 ran and departed on time. It was also the Pretendolino set

However some services had been cancelled so everyone piled onto this service, meaning that it was more than just full and standing! There was a women on the platform giving the train manager grief asking if she could sit in First Class because there were plenty of seats in there, yet there were none in Standard! She didn't like the response given but was told she could do on payment of an excess fare. A rude word soon followed.

We got held up in Bushey (were the signal issue was) but to be honest, I was really disappointed with the journey. I wasn't exactly in a good mood to start with because I had an argument over a seat in the First Class Lounge at Euston Station. It was very busy and there was nowhere to sit down, i managed to spot an empty sofa which 2 people could have easily sat on so I sat there. Then a lady said: "Someone is sitting there" I gave the truly autistic response of "Well I just sat on them then didn't I" She then started shouting at me and a few heads turned to look. I just put my headphones in and whacked the volume up to max and decided to start tweeting. She decided to get a member of staff who came over to try and encourage me to move, I just got my railcard out and said that if another seat was provided, I'd happily move. I was allowed to remain seated.

Further to my bad mood I had my ticket checked 3 times within the space of 20 metres which included one member of staff asking me for ID for my railcard, which I was unable to provide. He went on to say "So how do I know that is your railcard if you have no ID" my response was blunt but to the point: "Simple that, you don't..." and I walked off and got on the train.

Once the train left Euston we were informed that because the train was overcrowded, that the Buffet Car wouldn't open until Coventry and would close at Birmingham New Street. Also that At Seat Service in First Class wouldn't be provided until Coventry also and that the WiFi wasn't working. Yes I can understand The Shop not opening, but I could see no reason why an At Seat service in First couldn't be provided, the Aisle's were clear, no Standee's. I went to the Buffet just before MKC^▸ (Milton Keynes Central) to ask for some water to take a pain killer. I was told not until Coventry. I was about to again get the railcard out, but one member of staff saw sense and said: "I'm sure he could have a bottle of water, it's not like he's asking for the earth is it?!" By the time the At Seat service got to me (I was in J - Last Coach) I was offered a hot drink. Which I turned down as I was getting off in 5 minutes.

We arrived at Euston 26 minutes late Which just about sums beardie-rail up I think. Every journey I've made on VWC in the past 6 months has been more than 20 minutes late, 4 of those over an hour late! On my XC^▸ (Cross Country Trains (franchise)) service I read the departure board which said Platform 3b, I went onto the platform and walked to the First Class end. What I didn't know is that Control hadn't updated the PIS^▸ (Passenger Information System), so I was waiting for a train that had already left! Something that became apparent when a Redditch train rolled in.

I did however eventually make the 23:20 off BRI^» (Bristol Temple Meads - next trains) so although there were delays. It could have been worse!

I think i'll have to do this one again but when I'm in a better mood. I was stressed so didn't enjoy much at all

[EBrown]

which included one member of staff asking me for ID for my railcard, which I was unable to provide. He went on to say "So how do I know that is your railcard if you have no ID" my response was blunt but to the point: "Simple that, you don't..." and I walked off and got on the train.

I'm intrigued as to why they would even ask (revenue protection is a weak excuse I think), I just read the disabled persons railcard T&Cs and you only have to present a signed railcard on request. Nothing else.

Perhaps I can't read.

[ECML]

which included one member of staff asking me for ID for my railcard, which I was unable to provide. He went on to say "So how do I know that is your railcard if you have no ID" my response was blunt but to the point: "Simple that, you don't..." and I walked off and got on the train.

I'm intrigued as to why they would even ask (revenue protection is a weak excuse I think), I just read the disabled persons railcard T&Cs and you only have to present a signed railcard on request. Nothing else.

Perhaps I can't read.

The only thing I can think of that may explain this, is if it was a 2-part Railcard, and the photocard part was missing. This is only applicable on Railcards that require photo ID and that are not bought online. For example a 16-25 Railcard bought at a rail ticket office.

[Chris from Nailsea]

See also a previous topic on this forum, where this point was discussed at some length: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=4758.0 

[thetrout]

The only thing I can think of that may explain this, is if it was a 2-part Railcard, and the photocard part was missing. This is only applicable on Railcards that require photo ID and that are not bought online. For example a 16-25 Railcard bought at a rail ticket office.

I have a Disabled Railcard, for which no Photo Card is provided. AFAIK^▸ (as far as I know) there is nothing that states that you have to provide Photo ID when asked for that particular card. In this case I didn't have any. Yes I had my Business Credit Charge Card, But that's pretty useless when all it has is the Company Name on it.

It's something that has happened about 5 or 6 times, I find it frustrating when asked for ID. But that is because on one occasion when I produced my passport to a PCSO in Trowbridge, He asked me to wait for a real copper to arrive to check the passport was genuine! I had a train to catch to get to a meeting so I told him very politely to go fourth

[Brucey]

I find the whole idea that Disabled & Senior railcards can be issued without photographs to be very mysterious.  Unfortunately, many staff have an idea of what a disabled person "looks like" and you obviously didn't fit their rather narrow minded view.  If a photograph was added to the card, it would save a whole load of hassle (and probably embarrassment) for disabled railcard holders.

[matt473]

I find the whole idea that Disabled & Senior railcards can be issued without photographs to be very mysterious.  Unfortunately, many staff have an idea of what a disabled person "looks like" and you obviously didn't fit their rather narrow minded view.  If a photograph was added to the card, it would save a whole load of hassle (and probably embarrassment) for disabled railcard holders.

There lies a huge problem though. Many people do not think someone is disabled unless they "look" disabled so what can be done about it apart from issuing photocards. All I can think of is having the disabled railcard only valid with a bus pass but I'm not certain that would be suitable as some disabled people don't like owning a bus pass feeling they don't deserve one or do not wish to to have one to avoid some stigma attached to owning one as I know from my brothers view despite being disabled (Aspergers). I guess the simple solution would be to issue a photocard like suggested but would that then push up costs of the card to cover the cost of issuing the photocard?

[paul7575]

Network cards and Friends and Family cards don't have photos either.

The question is really why are 18-25 holders 'aka students and young people' the only people who need photos - maybe the railway has some evidence that they are the only railcard holders who generally lend them to friends...

Paul

[6 OF 2 redundant adjunct of unimatrix 01]

it was wrong for you to be asked, however you do have a photo card 

[thetrout]

it was wrong for you to be asked, however you do have a photo card 

True but it's not that good to you if you're not carrying it on your person!

I think the posts above are right in that their is a stereotypical "Disabled Person" which I do not fit! I was told last year that due to the possibility that I could have Epilepsy I would never be allowed to drive! Which when your running your own IT Company is not the greatest news I've ever had!