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| 'Disbelief and discontent' over rail timetable delays | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Passenger groups have reacted angrily to news that hundreds of train timetables are likely to be published later than usual. | Passenger groups have reacted angrily to news that hundreds of train timetables are likely to be published later than usual. |
| Rail users are normally told about new timetables 12 weeks in advance, enabling them to book cheap tickets. | Rail users are normally told about new timetables 12 weeks in advance, enabling them to book cheap tickets. |
| But the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has announced that over the next six months passengers may get as little as four weeks' notice of new train times. | But the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has announced that over the next six months passengers may get as little as four weeks' notice of new train times. |
| It blamed a huge number of timetable changes coming up in May. | It blamed a huge number of timetable changes coming up in May. |
| The change will happen from this Sunday, 12 weeks ahead of the new Spring timetable, and is likely to affect travellers for at least six months. | The change will happen from this Sunday, 12 weeks ahead of the new Spring timetable, and is likely to affect travellers for at least six months. |
| Passenger groups predicted there would be "real disbelief and discontent" about the lack of advance information. | Passenger groups predicted there would be "real disbelief and discontent" about the lack of advance information. |
| "Passengers have been badly let down and will be deeply frustrated that they can't make plans with certainty," said Anthony Smithy, the chief executive of Transport Focus. | |
| "They are also at risk of paying more." | "They are also at risk of paying more." |
| Cheap advance fares usually become available three months before travel, meaning that some passengers could book their tickets, but find that cheaper fares become available nearer the time of travel. | Cheap advance fares usually become available three months before travel, meaning that some passengers could book their tickets, but find that cheaper fares become available nearer the time of travel. |
| Apology | Apology |
| Some train operators are said to be furious about the late publication of timetables. | Some train operators are said to be furious about the late publication of timetables. |
| The Office of Rail and Road - the industry regulator - said it would be conducting an informal enquiry into what had gone wrong. | The Office of Rail and Road - the industry regulator - said it would be conducting an informal enquiry into what had gone wrong. |
| In theory it has the power to fine Network Rail, although that would be seen as a measure of last resort. | In theory it has the power to fine Network Rail, although that would be seen as a measure of last resort. |
| The RDG - which represents both the train operators and Network Rail - said the May timetable change was "the biggest in living memory", with the rescheduling of almost four million services, seven times more than usual. | The RDG - which represents both the train operators and Network Rail - said the May timetable change was "the biggest in living memory", with the rescheduling of almost four million services, seven times more than usual. |
| It also said there were significant delays with engineering works, such as the electrification of the line between Manchester and Preston. | It also said there were significant delays with engineering works, such as the electrification of the line between Manchester and Preston. |
| "We recognise this will be inconvenient for some passengers and can only apologise that we've had to take this step," said Jo Kaye a managing director at Network Rail. | "We recognise this will be inconvenient for some passengers and can only apologise that we've had to take this step," said Jo Kaye a managing director at Network Rail. |
| The RDG said the problems would only affect passengers "in a small number of instances". Normally only 2% of passengers book more than six weeks in advance. | |
| It is advising rail users to book their tickets as usual, and then claim a refund if a cheaper fare is subsequently available. | It is advising rail users to book their tickets as usual, and then claim a refund if a cheaper fare is subsequently available. |
| Those whose train service is cancelled will be eligible for a full refund. | Those whose train service is cancelled will be eligible for a full refund. |