How to claim train delay refunds from rail operators for delays as short as 15 minutes

GB News: Mark Harper shares concerns about rail travel Britons could get up to 100 percent off their train fares when suffering delays with some rail companies. Commuters have been forced to deal with train delays and constant rail strikes over the past month. Many of those who have been affected have applied for refunds or partial refunds to get their money back. However, different rail companies have varied policies when it comes to dishing out this compensation. On top of this, the way in which people can apply for these refunds differs depending on who you are travelling with. From Great Western Railway (GWR) to Northern, here is a breakdown of the refund services available to rail travellers in Britain. Train operators are offering refunds of up to 100 percent on tickets Great Western Railway According to the GWR app, Anytime, Off-Peak and Super Off-Peak ticket holders should apply for a refund online via their account with the rail operator. GWR also offers a service called Delay Repay which provides partial compensation to those affected by train delays. If travellers arrive at their destination 15 or more minutes late due to delays or cancellations, they can apply for a partial refund through GWR’s website. How much someone can get depends on the type of ticket someone has and how late they arrive. For example, someone who is 15 to 29 minutes late with a single ticket could get up to 100 percent of their money back if their train is over an hour late. The rail operator has a ‘Delay Repay calculator’ on its website which affected customers can use to determine how much they could be owed. Claims need to be made within 28 days of their delay with customers being required to provide a clear copy of their ticket or Smartcard. The fastest way to apply is online. Travellers with GWR can download the company’s app through the Apple App Store or through Google Play. Customers can sign up for an account to track their journeys, expenses and refunds through the app. Delay Repay is a service offered by many rail operators SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Avanti West Coast This train operator operates a similar refund policy system where customers have 28 days to apply from their ticket’s expiry date using their Avanti account. According to the Avanti West Coast website, customers should apply for a refund through the means they purchased a ticket. For example, if they bought a ticket through the company’s app, that should be where they apply for the refund. If someone purchased a ticket at a train station, they should visit the same station to claim a refund but a £10 admin fee will be applied for processing this particular compensation claim. When somebody abandons their journey due to disruption, Avanti West Coast will offer a full refund without an admin free from where the traveller purchased the ticket. Travellers with Avanti can download the company’s app through the Apple App Store or through Google Play. Customers can sign up for an account to track their journeys, expenses and refunds through the app. Trains have been hit by delays due to poor service and rail strikes Northern Railway Another rail operator that provides a Delay Repay service is Northern Railway, however, the company also offers full refunds for cancelled services. Northern has introduced a new system NatWest-PayIt to help process refund claims quicker and with less hassle. As a result, compensation appears almost instantly in customers’ accounts. It should be noted that customers are not able to get a refund on Advance tickets but can change the date and time of their ticket for their convenience. Off-peak and Anytime tickets are refundable if someone chooses to cancel and travel another day instead, but an admin fee may apply. Trending