Rail strikes: Your refund rights explained if your travel is disrupted due to industrial action

Rail workers are preparing for several strikes over the festive period as union bosses continue the row over pay and conditions, with travellers’ Christmas plans in disarray as a result.

Nationwide rail strikes are due to take place on 13-14 December, 16-17 December, from 6pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on 27 December, 3-4 January and 6-7 January.

An overtime ban from 18 December until 2 January by RMT members will also affect many train services.

Passengers who have advance tickets booked could be entitled to a refund – here’s what you need to know about claiming.

Can I get a refund if my train is cancelled or delayed due to strikes?

If you have an advance ticket booked for a strike day and your service is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled, you are entitled to a change or refund. You’ll need to contact the original retailer of your ticket to get your money back.

My train has been rescheduled but I don’t want to travel at that time – can I get a refund?

Yes, you can get a refund if your train has been rescheduled due to strike action. Again, you’ll need to do that through your original retailer.

When will I know if my journey is affected?

The National Rail Journey Planner is not yet showing timetables for strike day services.

For travel from 12 to 16 December, the Journey Planner will be correct on 10 December. For journeys on 17 and 18 December, it will be updated on 14 December.

Read more:
Strikes every day before Christmas – where and why?
PM to hold cabinet crisis talks after rail union adds more Christmas strikes

National Rail has not yet confirmed when the Journey Planner will be updated to reflect planned strikes over the Christmas period and in January, with travellers advised to check their website closer to the time.

Can I use my ticket to travel on a different day?

If you have an advance ticket for a strike day, you may be able to travel on the days around the strikes. The details of this are yet to be announced, so check back with your train company closer to the time.

I have a season ticket – can I get a refund?

Season ticket holders are entitled to compensation through the Delay Repay scheme for days where they are not able to travel due to strike action.

Why are workers striking?

The Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union represents Network Rail workers, who operate railway infrastructure such as signals, and workers at 14 of the UK’s 28 train companies.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said his members are striking in response to the government cutting jobs and refusing to increase pay in line with inflation.

Mr Lynch said the government plans to “attack” terms, conditions and working practices by using “fire and re-hire” and cut real-terms pay for most members through lengthy pay freezes and below RPI inflation pay rises.

The RMT wants a pay rise, which it has not put a figure on, and reassurance jobs will not be cut, as well as working practices and conditions protected.