Passengers affected by industrial action in December to get refunds

South Western Railway (SWR) has announced this Tuesday (11 February) it will be offering additional compensation for passengers affected by the RMT’s strike action in December 2019.

They say that this will be over and above the normal delay repay arrangements and that the decision has been made in response to customer feedback and given the duration and intensity of the strike.

SWR claims that it did its utmost to keep passengers moving and carried over 80% of the number it normally would have done at this time of year.

The cost of rail travel for up to 5 days will be paid as compensation and will be offered to season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently during the strike.

The compensation scheme will run in two phases. In the first phase SWR Season Ticket Holders for whom the business holds details will be contacted directly to arrange compensation. Then in the second phase, passengers for whom SWR doesn’t hold details, including weekly season ticket holders, will need to apply for compensation. SWR say they will notify customers when each phase opens.

Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of South Western Railway, said, “Since I arrived at SWR I have listened carefully to customer feedback and I believe it is right that we offer additional compensation over and above our Delay Repay scheme for the disruption caused by December’s strikes. Whilst SWR worked very hard to keep people moving during the strikes, I know that our passengers often still had to cope with delays, cancellations and packed trains and the compensation reflects that.

“This compensation package will provide season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently during the strike with compensation to recognise the disruption they faced.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, said, “Passengers across SWR’s extensive network had their December ruined by reckless and unnecessary strike action.

“They have understandably had enough, so we support SWR taking action to ensure people are compensated for the disruption caused to their lives.”

February 18, 2020