London commuters owed £56m in rail refunds
London commuters are owed around £56m in rail refunds for delayed journeys that they are yet to claim.
Read more: Rail fares could rise by the second-lowest level in 20 years
Figures discovered by London Assembly Tory transport spokesman Richard Tracey show around 25.8m journeys are delayed each year – but 85 per cent of potential refunds for these remain uncollected.
Tracey is calling for automatic refunds for delayed journeys, as well as control of trainlines within the M25 to be handed to Transport for London (TfL).
"Commuters using the overland trains into London are facing unacceptable levels of delay as common occurrence. Because claiming back for delayed journeys is cumbersome, millions go unclaimed every year."
Read more: Five ways to cut the price of your rail fare this summer
"I am calling on the Mayor of London to see what he can do to encourage train companies to automate the process as is the case with Oyster travel, making it easier for hard pressed commuters to receive the compensation they are fully entitled to."
"In the longer term, these shocking figures make a strong argument for the mayor and Transport for London taking over the operation of the overland lines within the M25 and integrating them into the capital’s services."