This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-42322086
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Investigation ordered into 'misleading' festive tickets | Investigation ordered into 'misleading' festive tickets |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has ordered an investigation after reports rail firms "misled" customers. | |
| The watchdog Transport Focus said companies were selling tickets for services over Christmas, despite knowing they will not run. | The watchdog Transport Focus said companies were selling tickets for services over Christmas, despite knowing they will not run. |
| Mr Grayling said was "unacceptable" for passengers to have to pay higher "walk-up" fares at Christmas. | Mr Grayling said was "unacceptable" for passengers to have to pay higher "walk-up" fares at Christmas. |
| Industry body the Rail Delivery Group said its members would "develop a plan" to address the complaints. | Industry body the Rail Delivery Group said its members would "develop a plan" to address the complaints. |
| Mr Grayling said: "It would be totally unacceptable if any passenger has to pay walk-up fares this Christmas because advance tickets were not available." | Mr Grayling said: "It would be totally unacceptable if any passenger has to pay walk-up fares this Christmas because advance tickets were not available." |
| "I expect passengers to be offered the highest standards of customer service and have ordered an immediate investigation into this report." | "I expect passengers to be offered the highest standards of customer service and have ordered an immediate investigation into this report." |
| He also urged Network Rail and train companies to closer together to minimise disruption and make sure the problem did not happen again. | He also urged Network Rail and train companies to closer together to minimise disruption and make sure the problem did not happen again. |
| Transport Focus found more than 2,600 incorrect journeys - those already cancelled or scheduled to face disruption - were on offer during the Christmas week alone. | Transport Focus found more than 2,600 incorrect journeys - those already cancelled or scheduled to face disruption - were on offer during the Christmas week alone. |
| The group also found that by 13 October - 11 weeks before Christmas - reservations had not opened on Great Western, London Midland, South Western Railway and Southern - despite regulations stating they should. | The group also found that by 13 October - 11 weeks before Christmas - reservations had not opened on Great Western, London Midland, South Western Railway and Southern - despite regulations stating they should. |
| Only 15% of services were open for reservation on Greater Anglia and 25% on Virgin Trains. | Only 15% of services were open for reservation on Greater Anglia and 25% on Virgin Trains. |
| Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "Failure to release timetables 12 weeks ahead of travel can mean passengers buy tickets for trains that will not run. | Transport Focus chief executive Anthony Smith said: "Failure to release timetables 12 weeks ahead of travel can mean passengers buy tickets for trains that will not run. |
| "That can't be right. Train operators' advice is to book early at Christmas to get the best deal. | "That can't be right. Train operators' advice is to book early at Christmas to get the best deal. |
| "But if the timetable has not been finalised only more expensive 'on the day' tickets can be bought." | "But if the timetable has not been finalised only more expensive 'on the day' tickets can be bought." |
| 'It's unfair' | 'It's unfair' |
| Helen Firth, 37, from Surrey commutes to London for work and says getting home on time to see her nine-year-old son was important. | Helen Firth, 37, from Surrey commutes to London for work and says getting home on time to see her nine-year-old son was important. |
| But she said she was unable to plan her Christmas journeys. | But she said she was unable to plan her Christmas journeys. |
| "It's unfair if someone's forked out a bunch of money, but don't know if their train will be delayed," she said. | "It's unfair if someone's forked out a bunch of money, but don't know if their train will be delayed," she said. |
| "Companies should at least advise people so they have the option of knowing and planning other routes." | "Companies should at least advise people so they have the option of knowing and planning other routes." |
| Paul Plummer, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group responded to the Transport Focus criticisms, saying the issue was "important" and he would reply more fully before Christmas. | Paul Plummer, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group responded to the Transport Focus criticisms, saying the issue was "important" and he would reply more fully before Christmas. |
| Transport Focus have called for a network-wide review to ensure train operators publish correct timetables 12 weeks in advance. | Transport Focus have called for a network-wide review to ensure train operators publish correct timetables 12 weeks in advance. |
| They also want incorrect information to be removed from online timetables, and say passengers who have already bought tickets must be notified when there are changes to their journeys. | They also want incorrect information to be removed from online timetables, and say passengers who have already bought tickets must be notified when there are changes to their journeys. |