Compensation for South Western Railway passengers after RMT strike

South Western Railway has announced a compensation scheme for passengers who were affected by the RMT strike in December.

The operator has said it did everything it could to keep passengers moving and carried 80% of passengers it usually would have done at that time of year.

However, having received feedback, and given the duration of the strike, South Western Railway is now offering additional compensation above the usual Delay Repay scheme.

The cost of rail travel for up to 5 days will be paid as compensation and will be offered to season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travel frequently.

The compensation scheme will run in two phases:

• Phase 1: SWR season ticket holders for who the operator holds details will be contacted directly to arrange compensation
• Phase 2: customers for who SWR doesn't hold details, including weekly season ticket holders, will need to apply for compensation

SWR will notify passengers when each phase opens. For more information on claiming compensation, please follow this link: www.southwesternrailway.com/december-2019-strike-compensation.

What did the officials say?

Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of South Western Railway, said:

“Since I arrived at SWR I have listened carefully to customer feedback and I believe it is right that we offer additional compensation over and above our Delay Repay scheme for the disruption caused by December's strikes. Whilst SWR worked very hard to keep people moving during the strikes, I know that our passengers often still had to cope with delays, cancellations and packed trains and the compensation reflects that.

“This compensation package will provide season ticket holders and daily ticket holders who travelled frequently during the strike with compensation to recognise the disruption they faced.”

Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps, said:

“Passengers across SWR's extensive network had their December ruined by reckless and unnecessary strike action.

“They have understandably had enough, so we support SWR taking action to ensure people are compensated for the disruption caused to their lives.”

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