Tens of thousands of long-suffering Southern rail passengers are to be paid the equivalent of four weeks’ travel for long delays, cancellations and disruption, the government announced today.

More than 84,000 passengers will be compensated after facing hardship due to the Network Rail track failures, engineering works, the operator’s poor performance, and the ongoing dispute between Southern and members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT).

Season ticket holders will be able to claim a refund for four weeks’ worth of travel costs.

The one-off compensation payment is in addition to the ‘Delay Repay 15’ compensation scheme, which will be rolled out on services operated by Southern’s father company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) from December 11, ministers announced today.

Your Local Guardian:

Charles Horton, chief executive of GTR, Southern's parent company, said: "Our passengers have had to endure many months of disruption and misery due to industrial action and poor performance and for that I am truly sorry.

“While they have clearly been able to claim under our Delay Repay scheme, we welcome this additional compensation package.

“It is also good news that our passengers will be the first to benefit from Delay Repay 15 as it is something our passengers have been telling us they want for some time.

“Our aim is always to get passengers to where they want to go on time, but if we don’t, it is right that they are compensated.”

From Tuesday: Southern rail drivers vote for strike action, report Aslef

RMT members will next strike from Tuesday, December 6 to Thursday, December 8, and have seven other strike dates planned before the end of the year.

From Thursday: Wandsworth councillor Jonathan Cook blasts unions for Southern rail strikes

From Thursday: Commuters across London to be hit with delayed and cancelled trains in combined Tube and Southern Rail strikes

The union and Southern have been at loggerheads for months over the role of conductors.

In a statement on their website, Southern claims it is safe for drivers to close doors.

The RMT argues commuting the role of on platform conductors to on-board supervisors (OBS) would put passengers at risk.

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “Getting Southern rail services back on track is a priority for the government and I know that what passengers want most is a reliable service.

“But when things do go wrong it is right that we compensate people who have not had the service that they deserve. This is a gesture in recognition of the problems people have faced.

“We’re working hard to get Network Rail and Southern to improve this network and get this railway working the way people expect.

“We are investing record amounts in improving our railways and we need everyone in the rail industry, including the unions, to work together to deliver for passengers.

“In addition from next week (December 11) passengers will be able to claim compensation if their train is more than 15 minutes late. This is a major improvement for passengers.”

Your Local Guardian:

Following its introduction on GTR services, the ‘Delay Repay 15’ compensation scheme will be rolled out across the rail network, starting with the new South Western, West Midlands and South Eastern franchises.

The existing ‘Delay Repay’ thresholds are as follows:

  • 50% of the single fare for delays of 30 to 59 minutes
  • 100% of the single fare for delays of 60 minutes or more
  • 100% of the return fare for delays of 2 hours or more

To claim compensation, visit http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/compensation-announcement/

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