2:20pm Wednesday 3rd February 2010
By Manisha Mistry
FIRST Capital Connect bosses met Liberal Democrat candidate Sandy Walkington to discuss the ongoing problems on the Thameslink link route.
The complexity of the Delay Repay scheme, which is allowing commuters to claim compensation for the wave of delays and cancellations over the recent months, was highlighted to top bosses Neal Lawson and Mary Grant.
Mr Walkington said commuters had contacted him ahead of the meeting complaining of problems they have faced with the compensation scheme.
In response to this Ms Grant said the train operator had already processed 73,000 delay repay schemes from across the Thameslink route, with many more coming in.
She stressed that the organisation would be flexible as possible, measuring the 30 minute delay against the original timetable and not the emergency one, waiving the normal time limits for claims and accepting any evidence of payment – for example credit card bills – where the original tickets have been lost.
A week ago Tory MP for St Albans Anne Main secured a Meet the Managers session at St Albans City Station this Friday, February 5, for passengers in the district to let off steam and Nigel Quinton, Lib Dem parliamentary hopeful for Harpenden and Hitchin, requested Mr Lawson and Ms Grant to hold a similar meeting in Harpenden – for which a date is to be agreed.
Mr Walkington said: “I don't like Delay Repay, it is wholly inadequate for short commuter journeys and it does not recognise the appalling overcrowding.
“But I hope that passengers will now inundate FCC with claims and at least get some additional compensation, albeit through a tediously bureaucratic process.”
The Meet the Managers session will take place at St Albans City Station between 4pm and 7pm this Friday.
Will you be going? Tell us below.
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