It was a farce and there is nothing we can do about it

[Bunty55]

Yesterday we went to York for a day out. My daughter and 4 year old grandson and I went from our local train station at Horsforth to Harrogate where we had to change for a coach to York as the service was down, costing £19.50.
We could have got an alternative train changing at Knaresborough onto another train into York for £39.50 which seemed like a lot of money and would have eaten into our budget.
It meant that the journey would take longer but we did not mind and it was pleasant.

Coming back we got the coach back to Harrogate where we learned the trains back to Horsforth had been cancelled with no explanation why, so we had to get a service bus to Leeds and then another to the train station where our car was parked.
We got home at 9.30pm.
I am not a user of trains. We take them when we are having a day out. I wish I was a bit more savvy as I have this feeling it was all my fault :)

Did you check the transport was all still running before you set out? This is usually a good idea as you can spot any changes.

I asked the man who sold the tickets and he told me it was a standard practice and reliable. No need to worry etc etc..
When we got to Harrogate they would not give an explanation as to why and we were left to find our own way home.
We had a fab day out but it was too late for our little one - by the time he got home it was around 10pm

I'm not sure I understand the extra money element; surely if you'd bought a Hosforth to York return then any replacement bus services should have been included in that?

Caveat: it's been a very long time since I've got a train.

Check if you can get delay repay or a refund From train company.

at Horsforth to Harrogate where we had to change for a coach to York as the service was down, costing £19.50

Normally they run a replacement bus service - are you sure there wasn't one?

In my experience, they don't just strand people. I was even once put in a taxi with three others to get to my onward destination (cost them £250 according to the meter).

It was more money if we went by train and less if we split the journey with a coach. Either way we still had to change. Apparently there was and is no direct line to York from Horsforth.

Nope.. the man at the station directed us to the bus stand along with a lot of other people who were not happy at all

Having lived in Japan, the train service there isn't cheap, but the fares are easy to understand and the service runs very smoothly. I don't know why the train service in the UK is so bad.

If you bought a return train ticket to York you should get a refund for the return - once more than half hour late

I think I might write to the rail company and see what happens. We had a lovely day out but I would not want a repeat of the journey home. Little one was tired and the bus was full - some people were standing and he was a bit hyperactive and giddy.
It spoiled what should have been a perfect day

Keep your tickets, there should be a bit on the train companies website on refunds/compensation with an online form to fill in.

I’m surprised you had to buy a coach ticket - sometimes they’ll accept train tickets if the train is cancelled.

You shouldnt need to write to anyone, you apply online for delay refunds

I'd have thought the easiest route from Horsforth to York was via a change in Leeds; that's what's offered when I check the trainline app, strange that the ticket man didn't offer the route (although obviously maybe that line wasn't operating either?)

The trains are a total shambles at the moment. They keep having official strikes but what they don't tell you is that on all the other days there are constant cancellations, often last minute, and often not even a rail replacement bus. it's been like this for almost 2 months and I'm at the end of my tether with it-- I rely on the trains for work and the other Monday I couldn't even get there.

So it's not your fault, its just like that at the moment.

There are direct trains from Horsforth to York but changing in Leeds is faster. Weekends, Sundays especially, can be difficult with engineering work.

There were a few operational problems with trains in that area yesterday, which could have affected you depending on what time you were travelling. Rail replacement coaches are difficult to source for that kind of thing so that might explain it.

it does sound like station staff were unhelpful, which isn’t great. Using an app to check for times etc is always a good shout, then you can make your own choices.

I am nothing if not better informed now !

I travel by train a lot, Rail replacement buses are usually paid for by the train operator, had you already booked a ticket or did you turn up to book on the day?

I'd always recommend prebooking where you can to get a cheaper advance ticket, I'd also checking services are running as most rail upgrades are fine when the network is quieter eg night and weekends
I frequently get rail replacement on a Sunday when going to my mums