Rail Passengers Will Get Full Refunds For Christmas Train Journeys Cancelled By Tier 4 Restrictions, Grant Shapps Confirms
Passengers who had tickets booked over the Christmas period will get a refund after travel was banned from tier 4 areas (PA)
2 min read
Grant Shapps has promised rail passengers who have had their Christmas journeys cancelled by the new coronavirus restrictions a full refund.
The transport secretary said customers will not be "left out of pocket" for "doing the right thing” and obeying the new rules not to travel out of tier 4 areas.
It comes after Boris Johnson rolled back the relaxation of Covid-19 measures for the festive period due to the spread of a virulent new strain of the virus.
Those areas in the South East of England where it is most prevalent are now in an effective lockdown for the next fortnight, with people told to abandon their plans to travel to visit family and instead spend Christmas at home.
But after criticism that thousands of people had already booked their journeys the Department for Transport said cash refunds will be provided for cancelled rail and coach tickets for the previous travel window of 23 to 27 December.
However they will only be refunded if purchased after the Prime Minister announced the Christmas plan on 24 November and before he amended it on Saturday.
Mr Shapps said: "It is imperative that we all follow the new measures and play our part in tackling this virus, protecting others and safeguarding our NHS.
"If you booked a coach or rail journey between 23 and 27 December, you are entitled to a cash refund.
"This ensures no-one is left out of pocket for doing the right thing - staying home in Tier 4, and elsewhere staying local and only meeting your Christmas bubble on Christmas Day."
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