Comensation/refunds for delayed flights?
 

Is it one rule for us and another for everyone else?

Why is it that the EU legislation regarding delayed flight compensation payments doesn't extend to trains, busses, ferries etc?

Lobby now to get your MEP to ensure that such fines are levied throughout the transport industry.:*

That way we can ensure the demise of almost every transport system in Europe. Maybe that's the idea?:confused:

Comensation/refunds for delayed flights?
 

Hi All,

Whilst I’m under the impression that mainline rail services in the UK do offer some kind of compensation (T’s & C’s more than likely to be somewhat unattractive to the consumer) I can’t comment on buses or ferries. What does come to mind is the definition of “delay” or suchlike terminology to be used to weigh the balance between consumer rights and service provider accountability (the airline). My understanding for the new rule’s birth was that it is based on the deliberate overbooking policies implemented by the airlines (in general).

One way or another you can counter any of the above objectives/comments – however, whilst accountability should be in place across the whole transport industry for prompt service, safety standards et al I do share the same fear that the [non-elected] wise men that invariably planned this to the elected, should be themselves, temporarily, locked up with an economics book and not let out until they can demonstrate their honest understanding and implications of such policies economically to/in the real world. This may prove to be a serious economic black cloud versus the current status quo for the industry that we have not experienced for sometime. Good luck. I hope I’m seriously wrong.

EG:ok:

P.S. Rhetorical question: Would ICAO enforce such a policy to all its members?

Good reply EG

I suspect that some PR folks among the industry including the FAA are spinning their take of the BA incident based on their dislike of the new EU rule.

It would appear to the airlines as an intrusion to their normal course of business risks and now to the passenger already seated in the plane as a cold chill whenever the cabin lights even flicker for a moment.

I wonder now who among us is going to step up and defend that rulling? (just trying to provoke discussion)

The Commission has tabled proposals on Denied Boarding, Delay and Cancellation refunds/compensation on cross-border rail travel.

They have also announced their intention to study extending such measures to international bus and maritime transport.

I guess they regard internal bus/rail/maritime traffic as a matter for individual national legislation.

Air transport is different because it operates within a Single Market (under the Third Package, completed in 1997) which does not differentiate between Domestic and Cross-border EU operations.

It would be interesting to see a situation arise where gales in the Channel result in several thousands of passengers having to be provided with hotel accomodation in Folkestone and Dover.

Interesting thought about Folkestone/Dover. Who would be responsible for the lorry drivers in "Operation Stack" on the M20?!

The purchase of a railway ticket only entitles the holder to travel from origin to destination.

The contract is for the journey only, not for a specified time or date, unless the ticket states otherwise.

British Rail operated a system of compensation where the journey was delayed by more than 59 minutes. Free refreshments were also offered on InterCity trains for delays over 60 minutes.

Some Operators such as GNER still operate the old BR system.

Others such as Virgin extend the journey time as the 60 minutes rule applies to the destination time of arrival. Thus a journey from say Runcorn to Liverpool will have up to 25 minutes allowed for a 10 minute journey so that the train will arrive 'on time' at Liverpool.

Similar arrangements apply to other Virgin services at other destinations. Amazingly enough Virgin then have the gall to announce they have arived early if the train runs without problem to the destination !!

Virgin Cross-Country trains usually end up with stops of up to 20 mins at Birmingham to take up late running.