| Re: Total journey connections - what if they miss outside the national rail network? Posted by Mark A at 17:13, 18th December 2025 |     |
Travelling on Crosscountry some time ago en route to Long Preston, disruption meant that the northbound service was terminated at Derby: onward connections weren't good. Eventually arriving at Skipton after the last train for Long Preston was long gone, I first walked to a friend's house to see if they were there and could put me up: they were away, so, returning to the (staffed) station, by which time it was around eleven pm and explaining the issue, they sorted me a taxi as a matter of course.
Also, travelling on Crosscountry again, this time heading for Loughborough, and encountering delays of around two hours before eventually reaching Leicester and facing further disruption on the last leg to Loughborough, on request, station staff at Leicester sorted me a taxi at the railway's expense to... Leicester North, for a GCR train to Loughborough.
At the end of the 'Taxi' leg, the taxi driver needed talking in to the GCR station, which he approached with trepidation as the access road wasn't quite tidy, and then at the top "Wow, despite being a taxi driver I never knew there was a station up here!'
Mark
| Re: Total journey connections - what if they miss outside the national rail network? Posted by grahame at 15:01, 18th December 2025 | |
I wonder if the TOC would be willing to provide a taxi if the last bus is missed on a through ticket. Or indeed if the bus misses a last train. If we're serious about integrated public transport this ought to be considered!
Interestingly, with the current cancellation I have just logged, I read:
Don't worry if you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded
Which tells me that if (on next year's Interrail trip) I get delayed into London, miss my Eurostar and am unable to reach Prague that night, they won't leave me stranded in Dresden.
| Re: Total journey connections - what if they miss outside the national rail network? Posted by Hafren at 20:48, 17th December 2025 | |
I wonder if the TOC would be willing to provide a taxi if the last bus is missed on a through ticket. Or indeed if the bus misses a last train. If we're serious about integrated public transport this ought to be considered!
Pushing it further... what if my lift isn't available and I have to make my own way, or if a nervous or vulnerable person who usually walks the 'last mile' is left having to find their way home at 10pm instead of 8pm because of a severe delay...? Subtle things that seem well out of scope of the contract but which will make a big difference to the person affected.
| Total journey connections - what if they miss outside the national rail network? Posted by grahame at 09:01, 16th November 2025 | |
A long quote here - see below it for my comments, which look at a generalisation of a situation in which GWR are doing their best.
Cancellations to services between London Paddington and Swansea via Bristol Parkway
Due to heavy rain flooding the railway earlier today between Swindon and Bristol Parkway all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 14:00 16/11.
Train services between London Paddington and Swansea via Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central will be cancelled or revised.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
There is flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. Flood water has risen above a certain level meaning trains are unable to run through the affected area.
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What are we doing about it?
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Network Rail are monitoring the water levels. Until the water recedes and the line is inspected we are unable to run our services between between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.
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We are able to run trains via an alternative route, with journey times extended by approximately 20-30 minutes.
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What are my options?
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We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
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As trains are still running you should travel as normal and catch your intended train. If you miss a connection as a result of being delayed, your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost, on the next available train.
-
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner.
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If you are at a station, please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
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Tickets dated for travel yesterday, Friday 14 November, and today, Saturday 15 November, will be accepted for travel today and on Sunday 16 November and Monday 17 November.
-
Let us help you:
-
If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
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Delay Repay:
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If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
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Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:16/11/2025 08:36
Due to heavy rain flooding the railway earlier today between Swindon and Bristol Parkway all lines are blocked. Disruption is expected until 14:00 16/11.
Train services between London Paddington and Swansea via Bristol Parkway and Cardiff Central will be cancelled or revised.
Customer Advice
What has happened?
-
There is flooding between Swindon and Bristol Parkway. Flood water has risen above a certain level meaning trains are unable to run through the affected area.
-
What are we doing about it?
-
Network Rail are monitoring the water levels. Until the water recedes and the line is inspected we are unable to run our services between between Swindon and Bristol Parkway.
-
We are able to run trains via an alternative route, with journey times extended by approximately 20-30 minutes.
-
What are my options?
-
We are sorry for the disruption to your journey today.
-
As trains are still running you should travel as normal and catch your intended train. If you miss a connection as a result of being delayed, your ticket will be accepted, at no extra cost, on the next available train.
-
You can check your journey using the National Rail Enquiries real-time journey planner.
-
If you are at a station, please check the live departure boards or speak to a member of station staff.
-
Tickets dated for travel yesterday, Friday 14 November, and today, Saturday 15 November, will be accepted for travel today and on Sunday 16 November and Monday 17 November.
-
Let us help you:
-
If you're already travelling when disruption happens, we'll get you where you need to go. If you miss the last train of the day due to cancellation or because another train was delayed, we wont leave you stranded.
-
If you require help, further information or would like to provide feedback, to help us improve in the future:
Speak to staff at the station or on the train. Use the Customer Help Point on the platform.
Message us on X @GWRHelp, Facebook Messenger @gwruk, Instagram @gwruk or WhatsApp 07890 608043. Our team is available daily between 06:00 and 23:00 Monday to Friday and 07:00 to 23:00 Saturday and Sunday.
Call our Customer Support team on 03457 000 125, who are available between 06:00 and 23:00, or National Rail Enquiries on 03457 484 950, who are available 24 hours a day.
-
Delay Repay:
-
If you arrive at your destination 15 or more minutes late because your GWR train was delayed or cancelled, you can apply for Delay Repay compensation. Please keep your ticket and visit GWR.com/DelayRepay
-
Further Information
An update will follow within the next 2 hours.
Last Updated:16/11/2025 08:36
Good and appreciated that GWR will get you onto other train services at no extra cost if you miss the last connecting train of the day.
A systemic issue that this reminds me of ... people make total journeys and the ongoing promise is purely onto other trains and within the UK national network. Total journeys link onward to buses, to planes, to international trains at St Pancras, and to ferries. These connections - though part of the joureny - are at provider's disgression across passenger travel networks, and/or may be covered by insurance and/or CIV ticketing. Eurostar have - in circles I read - a good reputation for putting people on the next available train when they get held up on incoming rail journeys, and that was confirmed by a single personal incident. RyanAir do not have a reputation of being helpful and indeed publicly asked at the Eurpoean Passenger Foundation meeting in June "why should we carry the cost and can of an incoming local airline that delays you when we have no commercial relationship with them"?
