Late trains

Initial problem

In the last week I have experienced problems on both train journeys I have taken.

On Friday, October 5th I booked a ticket to Bath from Totnes and travelled on the 10.10. train, a through train to Paddington, stopping at Bath which is where I was going.

The train was more than 20 minutes late at Totnes and soon after I got on there was an announcement that the train would not be stopping at Bath and that passengers intending to go there should change at Bristol. This meant that I was going to be about 40 minutes late at Bath which affected my arrangements to be met. Luckily I had a mobile phone with me and was able to catch the person coming to meet me but it threw out the plans I had made for the stay in Bath.

Several days later, on October 11th, I travelled to Truro from Totnes on the 10.10 train, which was on time. Returning in the afternoon I was informed when I got to the station in time for the 2.41 train that it would be late. It transpired that the train had broken down at Penzance and eventually arrived at Truro at around 3.45 p.m.. In the meantime passengers for that train had been advised not to travel on the slow 3.27 train to Plymouth and change there as it would be very full (it was standing room only) and to wait for the later train which would arrive at stations after Plymouth earlier than travelling by the 3.27 p.m. train and avoid changing trains.

By the time the delayed 2.41 train arrived more than an hour late, the waiting passengers had been told that they would have to change at Plymouth for Totnes and several other stations as the train would not, after all, be stopping there. I, therefore, rang my son and arranged for him to pick me up at Newton Abbot. Luckily he was home and agreed to do this. By the time we arrived at Plymouth it was decided that the train was not capable of travelling further and all passengers had to get off and change to a train to Paddington which would stop at Totnes etc. I had difficulty contacting my son but eventually got through to him and changed the arrangement for meeting me from Newton Abbot to Totnes.

I had arranged to take the earlier train back from Truro as I was to pick up several people to take to a pre-arranged engagement. I should have been in Totnes by 4.27 p.m. which would have given me ample time to get home, change and pick up my friends. The train which I eventually arrived home on got into Totnes at around 5.45, more than an hour and a quarter later than I had expected to be back. This made it difficult for me to meet my commitment and I was late arriving there.

I am appalled that two trains I travelled on in less than a week broke down and that I and many other passengers were put to such delay and inconvenience.

I believe I am entitled to compensation for the delay and inconvenience I suffered.

I have the 2-part return ticket from Truro to Totnes which cost £9.90 - off peak day return with reduction for senior rail card. (no. 39498 2038355830)

The return ticket to Bath from Totnes cost £22.75 and I have a seat reservation and credit card receipt for that.

I look forward to hearing from you further with the compensation due to me.

Thank you,

Hazel Fuller,
[personal details removed but sent to FGW]

Hazel Fuller

Posted

• By Hazel Fuller on 12 Oct 2012
• Sent to First Great Western Railway on 12 Oct 2012