National Rail Conditions of Carriage
The National Rail Conditions of Carriage (NRCoC) are a contractual document setting out the consumer's rights and responsibilities when travelling on the National Rail railway network in Great Britain. As of July 2015 a new version of the document was issued dated 19 July 2015.
When a train ticket is purchased, a contract is established. The NRCoC are the principal terms of that contract between traveller and train operating company (TOC), which have been established by the Rail Settlement Plan, which is part of the Association of Train Operating Companies. The document is available for public viewing at the National Rail website, and also as a free PDF download.
Additional terms do apply to travellers, primarily from two sources:
- For certain ticket types (such as those purchased at discount in advance),the TOCs concerned apply additional terms and conditions on top of the NRCoC. However, Condition 19 makes it the passenger's responsibility to ensure that their ticket is valid, and so any such additional terms must be available for examination when buying a ticket.
- The NRCoC cover the entitlement and restrictions of travellers, however they are not the only document to do so. Under the Transport Act 2000 (section 219), the Railway Bylaws also apply, though more generally.
Content
The NRCoC are arranged into four sections plus three appendices; the 19 July 2015 edition has 30 numbered pages. The first section deals with passenger tickets and the other sections deal with luggage, lost property and other matters.
Whilst the NRCoC are referred to on all train tickets, at stations, and on internet sites selling tickets for rail travel, very few travellers ever bother to read the document, unless they find themselves in dispute with a rail company on some matter. They are, however, of use to the consumer, because they afford considerable rights to the traveller with regards ticket validity. This has become a matter of significant public interest recently, in view of the complex and convoluted pricing structure of rail tickets in Great Britain.
July 2015 Update
According to the National Rail website the latest July 2015 updates included:
- A rewrite to be more explicit about passenger rights and obligations when buying and using tickets.
- Updating the circumstances when tickets may be transferred (condition 6).
- Updating the scope of Electronic Tickets (condition 9).
- More specific clarification on your right to a refund if your train is cancelled or delayed.
- Updated and simplified rules applying to carriage of luggage and other articles.
Delay Repay
The latest version of the National Rail Conditions of Carriage also updated the minimum compensation levels for travellers and claimants can now require that compensation to be paid in cash. If you arrive more than 60 minutes late at your destination station, due to the fault of the railway, you will be entitled to a minimum of 50% of the price paid for the relevant portion of the journey (Condition 42). Season tickets have their own special compensation arrangements attached to them.
| Ticket held | Amount Payable |
|---|---|
| Single ticket, or Return ticket with delay on both the outward and return journey | 50% of the price paid |
| Return ticket with delay on outward or return journey | 50% of the price paid for the relevant portion of the journey |
| Season Ticket | The discount or compensation arrangements in the relevant Train Company’s Passenger’s Charter apply |