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| UK snow: Why is my train cancelled in cold weather? | UK snow: Why is my train cancelled in cold weather? |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| As the so-called beast from the east headed for the UK, hundreds of train services were cancelled in anticipation. But was it really necessary? | As the so-called beast from the east headed for the UK, hundreds of train services were cancelled in anticipation. But was it really necessary? |
| On Monday, a number of private train operators, including South Eastern, Greater Anglia, Southern, c2c, Greater Northern and TFL Rail announced reduced timetables ahead of the forecast snow and freezing conditions. | |
| But not all commuters were convinced the cancellations were required. | But not all commuters were convinced the cancellations were required. |
| Why are so many services affected? | Why are so many services affected? |
| Normal services have been cut to allow engineers to focus on keeping the main parts of the rail network open. Compacted snow can turn into solid ice and prevent points - which direct trains from one track to another - from working, according to Network Rail. | |
| One train operator, Greater Anglia, said its limited service was to allow track engineers to deploy "snow ploughs, points heaters and snow clearing teams". | |
| But it's not just snow that causes problems. Frozen rails can stick together, causing signals to stay red and stop trains. | But it's not just snow that causes problems. Frozen rails can stick together, causing signals to stay red and stop trains. |
| The UK's systems - especially in rural areas - are not designed for the extreme temperatures we're seeing this week, Tony Miles from Modern Railway magazine explained. | The UK's systems - especially in rural areas - are not designed for the extreme temperatures we're seeing this week, Tony Miles from Modern Railway magazine explained. |
| Engineers would need to be sent to de-ice problem areas, he said. | Engineers would need to be sent to de-ice problem areas, he said. |
| "Network Rail go on advice from the Met Office," Mr Miles added. "It's better for companies to under-promise and over-deliver." | "Network Rail go on advice from the Met Office," Mr Miles added. "It's better for companies to under-promise and over-deliver." |
| But Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said blanket suspensions are "worrying". | But Anthony Smith, chief executive of the independent watchdog Transport Focus, said blanket suspensions are "worrying". |
| "The industry needs to better communicate why such drastic action is necessary," he added. | "The industry needs to better communicate why such drastic action is necessary," he added. |
| Network Rail has since admitted snow was not as bad as anticipated in Anglia and said it was working to restore a full service by Wednesday. | Network Rail has since admitted snow was not as bad as anticipated in Anglia and said it was working to restore a full service by Wednesday. |
| Does anyone profit from cancelled trains? | Does anyone profit from cancelled trains? |
| A report in the Daily Telegraph has suggested there could be a financial incentive for private train operators, who get paid compensation from Network Rail for cancellations and delays to services caused by bad weather or engineering work. | A report in the Daily Telegraph has suggested there could be a financial incentive for private train operators, who get paid compensation from Network Rail for cancellations and delays to services caused by bad weather or engineering work. |
| It reports that between 2011 and 2017 rail companies were handed more than £2bn in compensation by Network Rail. Over the same period passengers received £187m in compensation from rail operators. | It reports that between 2011 and 2017 rail companies were handed more than £2bn in compensation by Network Rail. Over the same period passengers received £187m in compensation from rail operators. |
| But the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), a pan-industry body, said the payments were overseen by the rail regulator and were "completely separate from the money customers rightly receive for delays". | But the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), a pan-industry body, said the payments were overseen by the rail regulator and were "completely separate from the money customers rightly receive for delays". |
| Network Rail provides the infrastructure upon which services run. | Network Rail provides the infrastructure upon which services run. |
| If it fails in its obligations, train companies are paid to cover the revenue lost, the BBC's transport correspondent Victoria Fritz explained. | If it fails in its obligations, train companies are paid to cover the revenue lost, the BBC's transport correspondent Victoria Fritz explained. |
| "On the other side of the relationship, train operators must pay the track operator for the privilege of using the network. | "On the other side of the relationship, train operators must pay the track operator for the privilege of using the network. |
| "Track charges make up 25% of Network Rail's revenue." | "Track charges make up 25% of Network Rail's revenue." |
| "No train company wants to lose fare revenue," Fritz added. | "No train company wants to lose fare revenue," Fritz added. |
| "Their forecasts are based on passenger growth and revenue growth. | "Their forecasts are based on passenger growth and revenue growth. |
| "So it's not exactly fair to say that train companies rub their hands in glee when it gets a bit nippy." | "So it's not exactly fair to say that train companies rub their hands in glee when it gets a bit nippy." |
| What can passengers claim? | What can passengers claim? |
| Passengers received £74m in compensation last year, five times more than five years earlier, according to the RDG. | Passengers received £74m in compensation last year, five times more than five years earlier, according to the RDG. |
| But the process is not always straightforward. | But the process is not always straightforward. |
| If your pre-booked train is cancelled or delayed and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund on most ticket types. | If your pre-booked train is cancelled or delayed and you choose not to travel, you are entitled to a refund on most ticket types. |
| Once an emergency timetable with reduced services has been put into action, passengers who buy on-the-day tickets are unable to claim compensation for a cancelled train as the train operators have given notice. | Once an emergency timetable with reduced services has been put into action, passengers who buy on-the-day tickets are unable to claim compensation for a cancelled train as the train operators have given notice. |
| However, if the trains that are advertised to run are delayed by more than 30 minutes, you can still make a claim to the individual train operator under the delay repay scheme. | However, if the trains that are advertised to run are delayed by more than 30 minutes, you can still make a claim to the individual train operator under the delay repay scheme. |
| This process differs depending on the type of ticket you're travelling on and with whom. | This process differs depending on the type of ticket you're travelling on and with whom. |
| But the offer of a refund is unlikely to please everyone... | But the offer of a refund is unlikely to please everyone... |