Rail workers walked out on strike on Tuesday amid a pay dispute which is set to cause chaos on the UK's train network. The walkout, the biggest industrial action in the sector for 30 years, will continue with further walkouts planned on Thursday, June 23, and Saturday, June 25.
Members of the Rail, Maritime, and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 other train operators have decided to take strike action after a row over pay, conditions, and job security. More than 40,000 staff are expected to take part in the strike action throughout the week. In Wales, the strikes have led to many train cancellations - with only a handful of services still running. Staff at Transport for Wales are not striking but services across the country are still significantly affected.
Major train stations including Swansea, Bridgend, Carmarthen, Llanelli, Aberystwyth, Holyhead, and Llandudno will have no services at all, whilst there will only be limited services from Cardiff, Newport, Pontypridd and stations on the Valley lines to Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert. It leaves just 20% of journeys across the country running.
Read more: 'Solidarity with the unions' Wales shares support for rail workers on first day of industrial action
But what does this mean for those who have booked a train ticket over the strike period? According to the Money Saving Expert website, founded by finance expert Martin Lewis, you have two choices.
- You can use your ticket on another day up until June 28: Single-use tickets for strike days can be used the day before the date on the ticket, or up until Tuesday, June 28. This excludes season tickets. If you want to swap single-use tickets for an alternative date later than 28 June, MoneySavingExpert advises you check with the rail company or the firm you purchased the tickets from.
- Or you can get a full refund if you cannot travel. Generally, if your train is cancelled or rescheduled, you are entitled to a full refund from the firm you were due to travel with for any ticket type, including advance tickets. This includes where the train is cancelled due to strike action.
It could also be presumed likely that your train over the strike period might be delayed amid the disruption. For single-use rail tickets including an advance ticket, off-peak ticket or anytime ticket, you should be eligible for a partial or full refund if your train is delayed because of the strikes.
According to MoneySavingExpert, how much you are entitled to claim back depends on how long your train is delayed for. Most train firms now operate a 'Delay Repay' system, which means they will pay regardless of whether the delay was their fault. While the are some variations to how it works from company to company, in most cases it's as follows:
- If it's delayed by 15-29 minutes you'll get 25% back (12.5% off a return)
- If it's delayed by 30-59 minutes you'll get 50% back (25% off a return)
- You'll get 100% back for 60-119 minutes (50% off a return)
- You'll get 100% back off a single or return for 120+ minutes
Most season ticket holders can also claim for individual delays, but the rules vary and it's also worth checking if you can claim for continual delays, MoneySavingExpert advised.
To easily claim back for cancellations and delays, MoneySavingExpert said to firstly look up the train company to check how much you can get back. You should also make a note of the reason for your delay as well as keeping hold of your tickets. They will need to be photographed or scanned if applying online, or alternatively you can post them. This will need to be done within 28 days.
If you're rejected for compensation or a refund but still think you have a case, it's worth complaining. According to MoneySavingExpert you may be able to escalate your case to the Rail Ombudsmen or independent watchdog Transport Focus. To get the latest news from across Wales straight to your inbox, subscribe here.
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