Fifteen minute delay compensation a small relief for passengers

Caroline has welcomed a Government announcement [1] which will mean long-suffering passengers on Southern Rail are able to claim compensation for delays of 15 minutes and longer. The change in the 'delay repay' scheme comes after months of pressure on the issue from Lucas and others.[2] She has, however, called the 25% compensation rate for fifteen minute delays 'measly'. 

Caroline Lucas MP said: 

“'It's great to see that a  campaign I brought to Parliament in support of the work done by Which? has been succesful. At long last the Government is giving some relief to long suffering passengers on Southern Rail. People suffer these delays on a daily basis. 

"Though the 25% rate is somewhat measly this scheme will go some way towards compensating people for the constant interruption in their lives. Of course these improvements are only a sticking plaster, and don’t fix the long term problems on the line. Both the Government and the train company are responsible for the utter failure. Indeed the way the rail strike has been handled in recent days shows yet again that GTR is not fit for purpose. It’s time to strip them of this franchise, put this railway line in public hands and make Ministers directly accountable.”

ENDS

Contact: Matthew Butcher on 07885 459 904 or clucasmedia@parliament.uk

[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-announces-improved-compensation-scheme-for-rail-passengers

[2] Caroline Lucas' Parliamentary Questions on Southern Rail, including pushing the Government on 15 minute Delay Repay: http://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-questions-answers/?page=1&max=20&questiontype=AllQuestions&house=commons%2clords&member=3930&dept=27

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