Woman has train cancelled, asks train company for advice. Gets worst advice possible.
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When a woman had her train delayed and asked the rail company for advice, she was given some of the worst advice possible.
Woman has train cancelled, asks train company for advice.
Hi @SouthernRailUK you've cancelled nearly all the trains from Aldrington to Brighton. I have a weekly ticket, how do I get to Brighton?
— Katherine Wiltshire (@WiltshireK) June 13, 2016
For context / geography enthusiasts, that's a seven minute journey worth £2.60.
Katherine probably expected advice such as "we have a bus replacement service available", "tickets will be accepted on local busses" or, god forbid, "this will be sorted shortly and you'll be on your merry way."
No so. Instead, they suggested she take a train in the opposite direction in order to complete her seven minute journey.
@WiltshireK I sincerely apologise for the inconvenience caused. Which ticket type do you have? you could travel via Clapham Junction? Huw
— Southern Railway (@SouthernRailUK) June 13, 2016
@SouthernRailUK @WiltshireK are you taking the piss Huw, you're really suggesting a 100 mile round trip to travel 3 miles?
— Charlie Gordon (@CharlieGordon20) June 13, 2016
A lot of other people asked Southern Rail whether they were serious about this, as it would require taking a 1hr 12 minute journey to Clapham.
And then an hour and ten minute trip back to Brighton (assuming no more delays). Turning a seven minute journey into a 2 hour 20 minute, 100 mile journey.
But Southern Rail assured Katherine that they were in fact serious. Because this is how the trains run in the UK.
@CharlieGordon20 With two cancellations to an hourly service this is feasible as it would be quicker than waiting.^Joe
— Southern Railway (@SouthernRailUK) June 13, 2016
No replacement bus service was forthcoming, it appears that they really were advising Katherine to take a 100 mile round-trip. Other people were outraged on Katherine's behalf.
@CharlieGordon20 Wow - is this REALLY what @SouthernRailUK has come to?
— enkaytee (@enkaytee) June 13, 2016
Whilst others questioned whether it was actually possible to get to Brighton via Clapham Junction, with disruptions on those lines as well.
@SouthernRailUK @CharlieGordon20 I'm curious, is it possible to do ALD-BTN circa CLJ going wb in two hours, with major disruption showing?
— Robin Allen (@robinallen811) June 13, 2016
Katherine eventually
Eventually, normal service resumed.
@WiltshireK The 08.41 ran, did you manage to get this train? ^Joe
— Southern Railway (@SouthernRailUK) June 13, 2016
But too late for Katherine...
@SouthernRailUK this was 10 minutes late! I cannot afford to be late so I'm forced to buy a bus ticket. Why should I have to pay again?
— Katherine Wiltshire (@WiltshireK) June 13, 2016
Southern Rail claimed that they had misread Katherine's tweets, leading to the bad advice, even though people kept pointing out that she'd been advised to go on a 100 mile round journey.
In future, Katherine plans to travel via Glasgow rather than ask for advice. It'll be a lot quicker for everyone involved.
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