What are my rights to refund if my trains are cancelled?

Question

I purchased a 1 month season ticket for a regular commute and after 2 weeks I learnt that they were closing the line and cancelling ALL trains for engineering works. I wrote to the train company (First Great Western) asking for a partial refund but they refused stating it was my responsibility to check for engineering works.

I couldnt get to the ticket issuing office to get the refund in person... because the trains were cancelled!!!

OK there was a rail replacement bus service but the service provided was unacceptable for my needs (journey time over twice as long). it still remains that the TRAIN service, as advertised to me via timetables, was cancelled.

Answer 1

If you bought the ticket with a credit card, you should be able to get a refund back from the credit card company as the service provider (Great First Western) cancelled the service covered by the product part way through the service period without informing you.

Make sure you keep copies of whatever you have sent FGW, their responses and anything that you send to the credit card company

Answer 2

depends enitrely onthe terms and conditions on the ticket

the train company may take the view that if they are offering an alternative service (then they are still honouring the ticket)

However go to any major station and hand your ticket in. you should get a refund.. however it will only be for the remaining length of the ticket from the time you had it in. If you want further refunds for days expired then you may have to work harder to get it.

Answer 3

That's an abomination! I would write a letter to the person in charge of your state transportation program and voice my concern as well as write a letter to the Editor of your major newspaper. This isn't good business practice at all.

Answer 4

You should get a refund. that sucks. your intitled to it.