17.12.18
Government launches Delay Repay 15 scheme for northern passengers
Northern rail passengers can now claim compensation from train operators for journeys delayed by 15 minutes or more, rail minister Andrew Jones has announced.
The Delay Repay 15 scheme acts as an extension to the current compensation package that exists for journeys delayed by 30 minutes or more, with passengers now able to claim 25% worth of the cost of a single fare for journeys delayed between 15 to 29 minutes.
The DfT says the scheme, first announced in 2016, will improve compensation available to passengers ensuring they can claim quickly and easily regardless of the cause of delays or cancellation.
Rail minister Andrew Jones, announcing the compensation, said: “Extending ‘Delay Repay’ to cover 15-minute delays is the right thing to do for northern passengers. Our absolute priority is delivering the reliable services passengers deserve, but when things go wrong people must be compensated fairly and quickly.”
Alongside Delay Repay 15, £15m of funding is also being spent on a special benefits package for passengers across the north for Northern and TransPennine Express passengers who suffered through the May timetable chaos, with more than £1m paid in compensation already.
Transport for the North and the DfT say they are focused on delivering significant improvements in the north, and previously appointed Richard George to identify key underlining issues with the northern network and make recommendations that deliver improvements.
David Hoggarth, strategic rail director at TfN, commented: “The major disruption passengers across the north have endured this year has been unacceptable, it’s only right that they’re compensated when things go wrong. This a welcome move that will mean more people can claim now and in the future. Focus must now be getting services back on track.”
The deputy managing director at Northern, Richard Allan, added: “We are truly sorry for the inconvenience caused by the disruption to rail services earlier this year and have paid special compensation to more than 11,000 season ticket and non-season holders since the summer.
“Now, with the launch of Delay Relay 15, those customers who experience day-to-day delays will be able to claim the compensation they want and deserve.”
Nick Potts/PA Wire/PA Images