South Western Railway train strikes – how to claim compensation
TRAIN strikes on the South Western Railway are causing misery for thousands of commuters this week due to a long-running dispute between the company and its workers.
Due to the strikes, trains are being cancelled or delayed and a bus replacement service is operating in some areas.
Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out today after South Western Railway refused to place a guard on each train.
Industrial action was called off in February when a resolution seemed near but the union has now renewed strikes after accusing the company of dragging its heels.
Luckily, commuters who are affected are still able to claim compensation for delays and cancellations, even if they're caused by strikes.
If you've decided not to travel because of the disruption or you didn't make it to your final destination, you may also be eligible for a refund.
How to claim compensation if you decide to travel
Commuters who want to claim money back for delayed or cancelled trains should use the Delay Repay scheme.
It is an initiative that ensures passengers whose rail trips are delayed by at least 15 minutes can claim money back.
It's available to customers even during strikes, although the delays are then checked against the operator's amended timetable.
You can also claim if you’ve missed your connection to other National Rail services because of a delay or cancellation one of South Western's trains.
To get compensated, you'll need to apply within 28 days of your delay and provide proof of travel and some details about your journey.
South Western Railway will then process your claim within 20 working days.
The amount you can get depends on how badly affected you were.
Those delayed by 15 to 29 minutes are entitled to 25 per cent of the cost of a single journey or 25 per cent of the value of one journey on your season ticket.
You'll only get 12.5 per cent back on return fares.
Those hit with delays of 30 to 59 minutes will be reimbursed half the cost of a single fare and the value of one season ticket journey, and only 25 per cent on a return ticket.
Anyone suffering more than an hour will be repaid the cost of their entire single journey or season ticket trip, or 50 per cent of their return fare.
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