Rail passengers may soon only be eligible for compensation if their train journey is delayed by at least 30 minutes, according to new government considerations. Currently, most train operators refund 25% of the ticket price for delays between 15 and 29 minutes. For delays of 30 to 59 minutes, passengers usually receive 50% compensation, which increases to a full refund if the delay exceeds an hour.
Under the proposed changes, passengers would only receive compensation for delays exceeding 30 minutes, with automatic refunds eliminating the need for online form submissions and ticket proof.
The government is reportedly planning to streamline compensation schemes into a single system as part of the nationalization of UK rail companies. By October 2027, all major operators are expected to be under public ownership, with taxpayer funds covering compensation costs instead of private operators.
In the 2023-24 financial year, rail passengers received around £138 million in compensation. The Department for Transport spokesperson emphasized the government’s focus on railway reforms to rebuild public trust and ensure punctual services, including initiatives like contactless technology at stations and the upcoming GBR app to simplify ticketing and delay repay claims.
Trainline revealed that passengers are missing out on over £80 million annually in compensation for delayed journeys. The company has launched a petition urging the government to enable straightforward claims for online ticket purchasers. Trainline CEO Jody Ford stressed the importance of making compensation processes as easy as ticket purchasing, advocating for a practical shift towards “one-click” delay repay to align with passenger preferences and industry innovation.
