UK trains are notoriously expensive and unpredictable. They do, however, have good delay refund policies. Recently I was delayed by 50 minutes and received a 50% refund (10 minutes longer and it would have been 100%). Conductor announced 4 times that we were entitle to a refund, told us the website to go to. Automated email followed reminding me to apply for the refund. All very easy.
It made me wonder what Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail do for delays. According to their website:
I think this is a poor show. The line "we will normally offer" is vague and suggests they have some leeway. 50% back for a 1-2 hour delay is not great considering the relatively short distances of train trips here. Discount vouchers for future train travel is useless for anyone who travels infrequently or who is just visiting Ireland. It should be a partial/complete refund depending on the length of delay. That would take the edge off things for customers and give IE/IR a real financial consequence for delays.
It made me wonder what Iarnród Éireann/Irish Rail do for delays. According to their website:
My train was delayed. When am I entitled to a refund?
If your train was delayed due to circumstances within the control of Iarnród Éireann the following apply;
If you are more than one hour late in arriving at your destination, we will normally offer you discount vouchers for use against future ticket purchases. The value of discount vouchers is based on the length of delay and the fare you have paid for your single journey.
For delays of one to two hours, we will give you vouchers to the value of 50 percent of the fare you have paid for the portion of your journey affected.
For delays over two hours, we will give you vouchers to the value of 100 percent of the fare you have paid for the portion of your journey affected.
I think this is a poor show. The line "we will normally offer" is vague and suggests they have some leeway. 50% back for a 1-2 hour delay is not great considering the relatively short distances of train trips here. Discount vouchers for future train travel is useless for anyone who travels infrequently or who is just visiting Ireland. It should be a partial/complete refund depending on the length of delay. That would take the edge off things for customers and give IE/IR a real financial consequence for delays.