01.10.18
Rail passengers to receive faster compensation in new ‘one click’ repayment plans
Passengers should soon be able to claim compensation for delayed trains more quickly and efficiently following the government’s announcement of a new ‘one click’ automated claims system.
The compensation system, available via smartphones and smartcard registration, coincides with a report released by the DfT and independent rail user watchdog Transport Focus, which found that just-under a third of rail passengers eligible for rail compensation did not claim back due to the effort of recuperating the repayments.
The report also highlighted the need for increased use of technology; with 53% of passengers stating that they are now claiming for compensation online— up from 31% in 2016.
The introduction of the new one click claims system will hope to encourage more rail passengers to claim for compensation against delayed trains in the future. Over the summer the nation’s railways were hampered by a spate of cancellations, delays, and general disruption after new timetables were introduced in May.
Transport secretary Chris Grayling told the Conservative party conference that the system has greater challenges than just the failed timetable introductions in May.
"Trains are packed, the network is creaking. Passengers experience too many things going wrong,” he said.
Grayling noted that the tumultuous new timetables experienced this year “cannot and will not happen again.”
Chief executive of Transport Focus Anthony Smith said: “Our research, published today by the DfT, does show that while it’s now easier to claim, far too many passengers still don’t request the compensation they are eligible to receive.
“Train operators still have a lot to do before the majority of eligible passengers get the compensation they deserve under current arrangements.”
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!
Image credit: PeopleImages