The other day I had to travel to Spa Medica near Exeter Airport to have the prelim assessment for a cataract lens replacement.
Grandson drove me to Axminster to catch the 12.14 train to St Davids. Then the aim was to catch the Stagecoach 4A bus to the Airport at 13.15. However that did not arrive, neither did the next one, due 35 minutes later. The Stagecoach app would not reveal the presence of the 4A and kept directing me to the 4 instead!
The result a £24.80 taxi fare to Spa Medica.
After the assessment it was a short walk to the airport for the 4A back. However, this was running 35 late meaning I would miss the train to Axminster. Decided to walk to Clyst Honiton and catch the 4 to Cranbrook where I could catch the train. I got off in Cranbrook only to see the bus go off to the station, not shown on the screen or the timetable.
Naturally, the GWR Axminster service was cancelled but caught the SWR on a little later, arriving in Axminster in time for the last bus to Bridport, where grandson picked me up.
Following a strongly worded email to Stagecoach, I received a reply saying if I had the taxi receipt I could claim a refund. Not expecting them to do this I only had my Apple Pay record. This they accepted and £24.80 found its way back into my account, a good result and a thanks to Stagecoach.
At Axminster I even gad time for a swift glass of beer in the Ale Way, the old station master’s house!