Transport User Voice – March 2018 – Train timetable uncertainty let down for passengers

26 February 2018

Passengers may find it harder to plan in advance and buy cheaper tickets, warns independent watchdog Transport Focus.

Train timetables will now only be correct six weeks in advance of travel, not 12. Passengers could, for example, buy tickets for sporting events and shows, on the basis of travelling by train, only to find their journeys rescheduled or cancelled.

Transport Focus has called for the rail industry to communicate clearly about the issue and let them know of the train timetable changes before they buy.

Passengers should also be able to get a refund if a cheaper ticket becomes available after they have bought a more expensive one and shouldn’t be out of pocket due to uncertainty over timetables.

Chief executive Anthony Smith said:

“Passengers have been badly let down and will be deeply frustrated that they can’t make plans with certainty. They are also at risk of paying more, so we will monitor the effectiveness of the industry’s no-quibble commitment.

Click here for further information, and to see our previous work click here.

Back to newsletter