Receiving a compensation from SNCF after missing ferry due to delayed train
A few days ago I was traveling out of Paris by SNCF Grandes Lignes. The train was announced with 30 minutes delay, but left later than that, and arrived in Le Havre with nearly an hour delay. It appears that according to Garantie Ponctualité I am entitled to a voucher of 25% of the ticket price. However, the delay (in particular the fact that the delay was far larger than the announced 30 minutes) meant that I missed the ferry I had wanted to reach. Is there an official or generally working goodwill-based way to get some recompensation for the costs I had due to that?
Best Answer
SNCF terms & conditions, August 2015 edition:
Si un train est annulé ou en retard et si le transporteur peut, par expérience, prévoir objectivement que le lieu de destination défini dans le contrat de transport sera atteint avec plus de 60 minutes de retard, le voyageur peut, dans les conditions énoncées au point 9.1.3 ci-dessous : a. exiger le remboursement du prix du transport correspondant au voyage qui n’a pas été effectué ou à la partie du voyage qui n’a pas été effectuée ...
Google Translate, cleaned up a bit:
If a train is canceled or delayed, and if the carrier can, from experience, objectively predict the destination defined in the transport contract will be met with more than 60 minutes late, the traveler may, within conditions stated in paragraph 9.1.3 below: to. demand reimbursement of the price of transport to journey was not performed or the part of the journey that was not performed.
So if you had purchased a combined train & ferry ticket from SNCF, and the train was more than an hour late, SNCF would indeed have been liable for 100% of the ferry ticket price.
However, since the ferry in question was apparently not "defined in your contract of transport" (=train ticket), you're officially out of luck. Of course, this doesn't stop you from trying to get a refund, but I can't find any grounds in the T&C for you to justify this.
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How much compensation will I get for delayed train?
Check your train company's website to find out if they offer Delay Repay (they might call it 'delay compensation'. You're legally entitled to compensation of: 50% of your ticket price if you get to your destination between 30 minutes and an hour late.How do I claim my SNCF refund?
You will generally receive your refund within 3 to 5 days, for refundable tickets. Special cases: Tickets purchased using holiday vouchers: if the fare conditions allow it, cancel your ticket online, at an SNCF sales outlet or by calling 3635. Then request your refund via the SNCF claim form.Can I claim compensation for missed train connection?
The train operator that cause your initial delay are responsible for ensuring you are compensated. The compensation due will be assessed on a case by case basis according to each train operators passenger charter.What happens if my train is delayed and I miss a connection?
Missed connection Advance tickets are valid only for a specific train. However if you miss the train because the connecting train on which you started your journey was late, then the train operator will accept your ticket on the next available train.Delayed or Cancelled flights, lost luggage - what compensation you can receive, who to claim from
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