Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how much compensation has been paid to Southern Rail passengers in each of the last seven years; and what steps the Government is taking to provide Southern Rail passengers with information on how to claim compensation for delayed journeys.

Details of how much compensation has been paid to Southern and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) passengers for years 2009/10 through to 2015/16 can be found through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/566958/train-operating-companies-passengers-charter-compensation.pdf

With regards to the steps the Government is taking to provide Southern Rail passengers with information on claiming compensation, GTR are contractually obligated to use all reasonable endeavours to make passengers aware of their right to claim compensation through a wide range of measures.

The number of eligible passengers claiming compensation has almost trebled over the past 3 years – up from 12% in 2013 to 35% this year.

This year the Government rolled out enhanced delay repay measures for GTR passengers that allow them to claim compensation when their train is 15 minutes late.

The Government’s full response on making claiming compensation easier can be found through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-moves-to-make-rail-claiming-compensation-easier