Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to improve the availability of passenger compensation on the railway.

The Department is working with the Office of Rail and Road, and with the rail industry to promote better awareness and ease of claiming for rail passenger compensation schemes.

Data published by the Department in October 2018 show that, in the past two years the total amount of compensation paid to passengers increased by 80%, as Government encouraged train operators to better publicise passengers’ rights.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/train-operating-companies-passengers-charter-compensation

We are mandating increased use of technology to inform passengers pro-actively that they are entitled to claim, using Apps, social media and onboard announcements. The introduction of simple and speedy ‘one-click’ automated claims systems, available via smartphones and smartcard registration, forms part of stronger obligations for future train operators under UK government-awarded franchises, ensuring that passengers are more aware than ever of their right to compensation.