A HIGHER rate of compensation for commuters stranded on a First Capital Connect train last week, for more than three hours, has been welcomed by a passenger user group.

County councillor Chris White, who demanded FCC is stripped of its franchise following the problems on the evening of Thursday, May 26, has been told passengers caught up in the chaos will receive more than the usual compensation through the Delay Repay scheme.

Neil Middleton, chairman of the Association of Public Transport Users (APTU), has told how on the same evening rush hour commuters were stranded on the packed London to St Albans train, near Kentish Town, rail officials were due to attend a meeting with the group in St Albans.

The train route passes through Radlett and Elstree and Borehamwood station.

The meeting, at Trinity Church in Victoria Street, was forced to start more then 30 minutes late on Wednesday as many people, including FCC managing director Neal Lawson, were caught up in the delays after the train broke down.

Mr Middleton said: “On the one hand it was a nuisance for our meeting, but it was a good thing FCC management experienced first hand the problems us commuters face.

“To be fair to them they knew things weren't going well that evening, but it was important they experienced all the problems the public suffer when things go wrong.

“It was a good opportunity to very much bring home to them how essential it is for them to communicate with the travelling public during delays.

“I keep on saying to them it will save them money on the delay repay scheme and it is about time more compensation is given.

“I tried to make the point that when things happen and passengers get better compensation, it makes it seem like FCC do feel sorry.”

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