More passengers complain about 'ghost trains' after being sold tickets that 'didn't exist'

More passengers have complained about the so-called 'ghost trains' after being sold tickets for services that never existed.
More passengers have complained about so-called 'ghost trains' after being sold tickets for services that never existed.More passengers have complained about so-called 'ghost trains' after being sold tickets for services that never existed.
More passengers have complained about so-called 'ghost trains' after being sold tickets for services that never existed.

One train user contacted the Yorkshire Evening Post after an article published in November detailed passengers' frustrations at being allowed to book tickets for services that never showed up.

Several people had bought specified tickets for train services between Leeds and London via either the LNER website or through booking agent Trainline - but the services didn't seem to exist.

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Sophie Dancer, from Leeds, described a similar experience on Sunday, January 19 as she tried to travel back from London.

She said: "Last night the London Kings Cross to Leeds train leaving at 5.35pm never showed up and apparently never existed.

"It was never on the board or system and wasn’t cancelled.

"Instead we were all rammed onto the 5.29pm to Edinburgh which was packed to the brim.

"We only just got on it in time after being given no information whatsoever over email or at the station.

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"The train was extremely overcrowded with people sat in the isles on the floor all the way through to first class.

"Many passengers on the other train affected booked through both Trainline and LNER.

"This clearly isn’t a one off and neither company are taking responsibility and offering any form of compensation."

Sophie claimed that LNER staff told her “the train never existed and don’t book through trainline”.

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She said that Trainline told her: “I’m sorry to inform you your train schedule has been changed last minute due to which train was not available at the actual time".

An LNER spokeswoman said on Wednesday, January 22 that the service had been "rescheduled or cancelled."

The spokeswoman said: "Due to engineering work, some of our services last weekend were rescheduled or cancelled.

"We made every effort to contact all affected customers.

"Passengers who had booked through the LNER website were given details in advance of alternative services. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. Information and service updates are available at LNER.co.uk .”

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A spokeswoman for Trainline said that Miss Dancer was not informed of any service changes due to a "technical glitch".

She said: "We’re sorry to hear that Ms Dancer did not have a good experience travelling from King’s Cross to Leeds on 19th January.

"As soon as we are notified of disruption or timetable changes by our train operating company partners, we email our customers who may have booked journeys for these trains to let them know.

"Unfortunately, in this case, a technical glitch means that Ms Dancer did not receive this email. We are very sorry for the inconvenience this caused and will provide a full refund for the journey."