The Chair of the Transport Committee, , has written to the
Secretary of State for Transport, MP, to call for a better deal
for rail season ticket holders whose usual journeys have been
cancelled by the outbreak of
coronavirus. Unless the changes are made, many
passengers will not receive any recompense at all for
circumstances beyond their control. A copy of the correspondence
is attached.
The committee is calling for the Government and industry
to:
-
Allow rail season ticket holders to receive full,
pro-rata refunds for the time remaining on their
tickets;
-
Allow season ticket holders to “pause” their ticket while
the Government’s advice to work from home applies and resume
them at a later date; and
-
Waive the administration fee for refunds.
There is particular concern about the fairness of season
ticket refunds where the ticket is close to its expiry
date. Season ticket refunds are not calculated
on a pro-rata basis because of the discounted rates that apply to
them. The discount on a season ticket means that in the normal
course of events, the holder receives 12 weeks’ ‘free travel’.
After 40 weeks, or about 10 months, there is no refund value on
an annual season ticket at all.
The Chair, , said:
“To get any money refunded from a
weekly ticket you need at least three days left, and at least
seven days left on a monthly. Annual tickets usually have little
or no refund value after 40 weeks, which is about 10
months.
“In ordinary times, when a commuter decides to cancel their
discounted season ticket, it is fair enough that they should not
receive a full refund for not using all of the discounted ticket.
However, commuters doing the right thing and staying home and
saving lives should not be financially penalised for following
the Government’s advice.
“For example, the annual cost of a travelcard from my own
town of Battle costs £6176. The lockdown was announced on 23
March and for commuters whose travelcards are due to expire on 23
May but cannot travel during those two months, they may expect to
receive £1,029 - but they stand to get little or nothing unless
the rules change. For those nearer the start of their annual
ticket, it is not such an issue.
“I’ve long been vocal about some of the inadequacies of our
rail compensation system. However, to apply it now, and for
commuters to be financially disadvantaged, when they have heeded
the calls and followed Government instructions, cannot be right.
I am confident we can get the message through and drive
change.”
Appearing before the Transport Select Committee on April 7,
the Rail Minister, Chris Heaton Harris, undertook to consider the
Chair’s idea that commuters could choose to extend their season
tickets once passengers are able to travel again, rather than
lose out from the compensation rules.
