UK rail strikes have been a part of life for most of 2023 and show no signs of slowing down. So what are your rights? How do you get a refund if your train is cancelled?
Trains are actually an excellent mode of transport, except in Britain. They are fast, can carry a lot of people and don’t suffer the same traffic issues of cars.
In every other European country, trains are relatively inexpensive, easy to use, run on time, clean and safe.
Despite being the country that invented the train, we simply cannot get it right.
If you use the train, you’ll know only too well that strikes have a serious impact on our ability to travel.
If it isn’t the strike itself, it’s the fact the train is in the wrong place and will be late.
So what are your rights in this mess we call a railway system?
When are UK rail strikes?
There have been several rail strikes during 2023 and we can probably expect more during 2024.
The ongoing dispute impacts different rail companies and the London Underground at different times so it’s impossible to tell you all the dates here.
However, the National Rail website has a pretty good industrial action tracker page which you may find useful.
Otherwise, it’s worth checking national news or your train company to check if there’s a strike on the day you’re planning to travel.
UK rail strikes – What are your rights?
You have a right to expect to be able to travel or to be able to change the date of travel or get a refund.
Strikes blow that first right out of the water but don’t impact the other two.
If you want to change the date of travel, you’ll need to contact the company you bought the ticket from and rebook.
You should not have to pay any admin fee for changing the date of travel if it’s the result of industrial action.
You may also be able to use your ticket on another rail company’s line using an alternative route. This isn’t a right, but a goodwill gesture that most rail companies have agreed between them.
If you’re unable to travel on an alternative date, you are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price.
If you’re a season ticket holder, you are also entitled to a refund for the day(s) you are unable to travel due to rail strikes through Delay Repay.
How to get a refund due to UK rail strikes
If your train is cancelled due to industrial action, you are entitled to a full refund.
To apply for that refund you’ll need to contact the rail company or company that issued your ticket. This is mostly done online now and there will be a dedicated page for refunds like on GWR’s website.
Each company handles refunds slightly differently but usually involves a web form.
Season ticket holders will need to use the Delay Repay section on the train company website. The rules are fairly straightforward but the calculation isn’t.
Rail ticket refunds and what they don’t cover
If your train is cancelled due to rail strikes and you cannot travel another day, you can request a full refund of the ticket price.
You cannot claim for additional expenses though.
For example, if you miss an event due to a train strike or have to spend extra on a taxi or coach instead of taking the train.
You can get your money back on the ticket but not on those extras.
This is actually fair, designed to prevent people from gaming the system. It may seem unfair at the time, but it’s the only way to keep the refund system fair and manageable.
UK rail strikes – What to do
If your train is cancelled due to rail strikes, you should check to see if there’s an alternative route with another train company.
If that’s not possible, look to change the date of travel. There should be no fee for the change.
If all else fails, log onto the train company website and follow the refund process. Fill in the form, photograph the train ticket or whatever they want and let them process the refund.
That’s it!
