New train ticket rule is dropping this weekend – and means stranded passengers can switch to a rival operator for FREE

A NEW train ticket rule will be rolled out this weekend, allowing passengers to switch to rival operators for free. The changes look to make disrupted journeys smoother for travellers and mean they won’t be forced to purchase last-minute pricey tickets. Passengers who face cancellations will be able to travel on trains by different operators for no extra charge Credit: Getty Images – Getty Those left stranded after a train cancellation will be able to travel on services run by different operators at no additional charge, the government has announced. The changes are set to be introduced on Sunday, September 20, and promise a smoother travel experience for those facing disrupted journeys. Sign up for the Travel newsletter Thank you! Many travellers will be aware that cross-operator ticket acceptance is already available across all publicly owned operators. However, as of Sunday, CrossCountry, Great Western Railway, Avanti West Coast and Chiltern Railways will all become part of the scheme too. Passengers travelling on any of the services included in the scheme can hop onto the next train if their original route is cancelled, even if it is a different service run by a different operator, without needing to buy a new ticket. It must be departing two hours before or after your original cancelled service, and the new journey must be a “direct or reasonable alternative route”. All that is required to complete a journey is showing customer support staff your original ticket to serve as proof of purchase. Full list of operators taking part in the new scheme: East Midlands Railway is expected to join the scheme at a later date: c2c Gatwick Express Greater Anglia Great Northern LNER London Northwestern Railway Northern Southeastern Southern Thameslink South Western Railway Transpennine Express West Midlands Railway Avanti West Coast (new) Chiltern Railways (new) CrossCountry (new) Great Western Railway (new) Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said: “This is a simple, common-sense change that puts passengers first. Most read in Travel “No one should be left stranded because of a fragmented railway when their journey is disrupted. “We’re fixing the railway from the ground up, making it simpler, fairer and easier to use, as we move towards Great British Railways and put public service back at the heart of our railways.” It is just one of the moves that comes as part of the government’s overhaul of the rail system. Ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways, travellers can also expect to see pay-as-you-go services rolled out across Greater Manchester, the Midlands and the south-east thanks to a £156million investment by the Government into new ticketing scheme. A new GBR website and app is also being designed to act as a “one-stop shop” for those heading out on a rail journey. Comment now