Merseyrail Passenger had ticket to a station with no servicebut

[joke2711]

Hi

Just out of interest what should happen in this scenario?

I was travelling on Merseyrail yesterday afternoon during the strike action. The trains from West Kirby to Liverpool were not stopping at; Manor Road, Bidston, Birkenhead Park, Conway Park and terminating at James Street.

A lady boarded the train at Meols with a young child, train progressed to Birkenhead North and as it departed the station she said to the child to get ready as they were getting off at the next stop. As the train passed though Birkenhead Park a look of horror appeared on her face. I asked if she was okay and established that she was unaware of the strike action and that trains had limited stops today. This is not to debate this ... but she said "why did they sell me a ticket" .. I asked if I could have a look at her ticket and indeed the ticket office had issue a day single to Birtkenhead Park.

I said she should get off at Hamilton Square and speak to Station Staff. She was starting to panic as she had to collect her other child.

What if anything should the Railway do in this instance?

 

[AlterEgo]

Hi

Just out of interest what should happen in this scenario?

I was travelling on Merseyrail yesterday afternoon during the strike action. The trains from West Kirby to Liverpool were not stopping at; Manor Road, Bidston, Birkenhead Park, Conway Park and terminating at James Street.

A lady boarded the train at Meols with a young child, train progressed to Birkenhead North and as it departed the station she said to the child to get ready as they were getting off at the next stop. As the train passed though Birkenhead Park a look of horror appeared on her face. I asked if she was okay and established that she was unaware of the strike action and that trains had limited stops today. This is not to debate this ... but she said "why did they sell me a ticket" .. I asked if I could have a look at her ticket and indeed the ticket office had issue a day single to Birtkenhead Park.

I said she should get off at Hamilton Square and speak to Station Staff. She was starting to panic as she had to collect her other child.

What if anything should the Railway do in this instance?

Either stop a train out of course at Birkenhead Park (if possible) or provide a taxi or road transport.

And Delay Repay if applicable.

 

[Merseysider]

Afaik Birkenhead Park station was shut completely

 

[gray1404]

In these circumstances it would be reasonable for a customer to use the station nearest to the one printed on their ticket. For example, if I held a ticket from Southport to Freshfield, then it would be reasonable to use Formby (in essence go over by one stop). It also depends on when the ticket was sold and if this was before the strike was published etc in this case.

I would at least expect her to have been put back on a train stopping nearest to her destination. If indeed the ticket had been sold on the day then this was a mistake and in these circumstances I would like to think they would have put her in a taxi. I am doubtful though. There are however circumstances where by a customer may insist on a ticket to or from a non served station. For example, a period return and they are returning on a non strike day.

 

[prod_pep]

Afaik Birkenhead Park station was shut completely

Birkenhead Park was open but only the hourly New Brighton service was stopping there.

 

[Merseysider]

Birkenhead Park was open but only the hourly New Brighton service was stopping there.

Ah, that seems odd.

Passenger should’ve changed at Birkenhead North then!

 

[gray1404]

That explains why he was told a ticket to that station then, if indeed it would have been possible to make a journey to that station (with a change of train).

In that case, I trust she was sent back on the correct trains (or indeed able to jump on the bus).

Another thought, Arriva were accepting Merseyrail tickets yesterday so it could have, in some cases, been that a customer still wanted their usual train ticket to/from whatever station as it could be cheaper and then use a bus service along the route.

 

[AntoniC]

Arriva were accepting valid rail tickets yesterday, except during the periods 0700-0900 and 1600 - 1800